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Atlantic Flights Track 'Sky Rivers' for Early Warnings
17 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Research flights over the Atlantic will monitor atmospheric rivers.
- These "sky rivers" bring heavy rain and flooding to the US West Coast.
- New data aims to extend storm forecasts from one to two weeks.
New research flights over the Atlantic Ocean are set to commence in January, aiming to enhance understanding and forecasting of atmospheric rivers. These "sky rivers" are massive plumes of tropical moisture that can dump significant rainfall and cause devastating floods.
The international effort involves scientists from the United States, Canada, France, and Germany, utilizing specialized aircraft. These planes will fly from Ireland and Canada, equipped with instruments like radar and dropsondes to collect crucial atmospheric data over the North Atlantic.
The collected data will be integrated into computer weather models. This initiative seeks to extend the lead time for forecasting these impactful storms, improving preparedness for communities on both the West Coast of the United States and in Europe.
