Atmospheric Rivers: From Science to Solutions
Marty Ralph
Director, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E)
University of California, San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Abstract
Fresh water is both a resource and a hazard. Predicting the precipitation that produces it has many applications and impacts decision making from local to regional, state, national and international scales. The horizontal movement of water vapor in the atmosphere strongly modulates precipitation and is often concentrated in relatively narrow and long regions of the atmosphere where large water vapor content combines with strong horizontal winds to transport massive amounts of water vapor. These regions are defined as atmospheric rivers (AR), and an average AR transports the equivalent of more than double the discharge of the Amazon River. However, quantitative precipitation forecasting remains a major challenge in atmospheric science. This presentation describes key scientific advances, observing system enhancements and their applications to public safety and water management, and presents examples of emerging applications in earth system science.
Bio-Sketch
F. Martin Ralph, Ph.D., is a hydrometeorologist focused on extreme precipitation, flooding and drought, and on improving predictions to manage them. He founded the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, expanded interest in atmospheric rivers (AR), leads AR Reconnaissance, developed the AR Scale, and launched Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations to support water management. He uses science, partnerships and public communication to address practical problems and inform public policy. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and received the AGU Ambassador Award, as well as a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, and received the AMS Award for Applied Meteorology.
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