Imagine a massive airborne river flowing through the sky, stretching over 11,000 km from near the Philippine archipelago to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This 'river in the sky' isn't poetry—it's a real weather phenomenon hammering Washington and Oregon right now. 💧
Meteorologists call it an 'atmospheric river': a fast-moving band of moisture in the atmosphere. Think of it as a supercharged monsoon, but on a trans-Pacific scale!
The intense downpours have already triggered river flooding and forced emergency declarations in both states. Now, with soil fully saturated, officials warn that the bigger threat could come from underground—landslides are a serious risk when rainwater seeps into hillsides. ⚠️
Even for a region used to heavy rain, this storm has locals on edge. It's a reminder of how shifting climate patterns can supercharge familiar weather, turning routine rains into extreme events.
Stay tuned to local updates, follow safety advisories, and keep your kit ready—because when the skies open up like this, it pays to be prepared. 🌧️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
