Atmospheric Rivers in the Central Pacific

Download Image Download Image of the Atmospheric Rivers in the Central Pacific

Created with data from the Global Forecast System (GFS) model, this data visualization shows atmospheric moisture over the central Pacific Ocean on January 3. Satellites can detect this moisture and the data can then be used to calculate what's known as the "total precipitable water" content of the atmosphere. The total precipitable water content is the amount of water that could potentially precipitate if the conditions were ideal. Visible in this data imagery are the bands of moisture that encircle the equator, along with so-called " atmospheric rivers " that transport moisture from these areas to higher latitudes.

Note the larger of the two atmospheric rivers in this graphic is responsible for the heavy precipitation occurring in parts of the West this week. This graphic was created with data from the Global Forecast System mathematical model, which is used by the National Weather Service to produce forecasts up to 16 days in advance. The GFS is produced by NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction. It contains dozens of atmospheric and land-soil variables ranging from temperatures, winds, and precipitation to soil moisture and atmospheric ozone concentration.

Where this page came from

This page was imported from NOAA Satellites (NESDIS). Published by NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service and, as a work of the United States government, in the public domain; pictures credited elsewhere are left out.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.