Weather tracker: US storms linked to ‘atmospheric river’ phenomenon | Environment
Last week, evacuation warnings were issued in California as heavy rain brought the risk of floods and landslides. Storms in the US were linked to a phenomenon known as an “atmospheric river”, a long filament of moisture-laden air originating over the Pacific Ocean and providing vital replenishment of reservoirs and snowpacks along the US west coast. However, they can also bring devastating amounts of rain, especially to coastal areas.
Elsewhere in the US, parts of Colorado have experienced some of the longest snow-free days so far this year; Denver eclipsed its third latest snowfall date this week after recording November’s hottest temperature of 28C earlier in the month. Warm weather and lack of snowfall also forced the opening of ski resorts to be postponed until December.
Severe storms affected much of northern and eastern Australia last week; Last Friday, more than 11,000 homes experienced power outages due to heavy rain, hail and strong winds. Moist tropical air from the north helped spark severe storms across much of the region. Additionally, lightning-triggered bushfires on the New South Wales plains posed an additional danger, exacerbated by hot and windy conditions.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall was also recorded in the high-altitude town of Sukayu in the northern region of Honshu, Japan’s largest and most populous island, with over 1 meter of snowfall recorded. The intensity and depth of the snowfall also attracted attention as it occurred in the early hours of the season and some records were broken. Heavy snowfall also affected parts of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.
Italy was also affected by heavy rains this week; Landslides resulted in two deaths in the north. The Torre River overflowed its banks after 25 cm (10 inches) of rain fell in about eight hours, causing serious flooding in the town of Brazzano di Cormons in the province of Gorzia, near Trieste. About 300 people living in the nearby hamlet of Versa also had to be evacuated due to the overflow of the River Torre.
