"Massive 'Pineapple Express' Atmospheric River Barrels Toward SoCal, Raising Flood Risk"

Satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration captured powerful atmospheric rivers barreling in from the Pacific Ocean towards the West Coast, threatening to cause flooding and damage. These long regions in the atmosphere transport water vapor equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and can bring heavy rainfall and snow, as well as fill reservoirs to help with drought relief. Back-to-back storms this week flowed along the well-known "Pineapple Express," affecting Northern California and parts of the state's central and southern regions with heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, leading to flood advisories and road closures.