The Pineapple Express, characterized as an atmospheric river, originates near Hawaii and propels a concentrated stream of moisture toward the West Coast. This atmospheric river possesses the capacity to transport up to 27 times the volume of water carried by the Mississippi River, equating to an impressive potential rainfall of 10-15 inches.
Atmospheric rivers form when winds over the Pacific draw a filament of moisture from the band of warm, moist air over the tropics and channel it toward the West Coast. When this ribbon of moisture hits the Sierra Nevada and other mountains, it is forced upward, cooling it and turning its water into immense quantities of rain and snow.
The name comes from their long, narrow shape and the prodigious amount of water they carry.
Last winter, California experienced the longest stretch of continuous atmospheric river conditions in the 70 years that records have been collected on these events. With nine back-to-back atmospheric rivers from December through January, farmlands turned into lakes, and snow piled up well above homes in the Sierra.
This season has been less dramatic, with seasonable precipitation numbers falling below average. That could change next week as an atmospheric river flows south toward California. More than 1 foot of snow, or possibly more, could fall in the Sierra, which would greatly increase the snowpack this season.
FAQs:
Q1. What is Pineapple Express?
A1. Pineapple Express is characterized as an atmospheric river, originates near Hawaii and propels a concentrated stream of moisture toward the West Coast.Q2. What happened last year?
A2. Last winter, California experienced the longest stretch of continuous atmospheric river conditions in the 70 years that records have been collected on these events.
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