NASA On Air: NASA Tracks Atmospheric Rivers (12/16/2015)

1. Atmospheric rivers are short-lived, narrow streams of wind that carry water vapor from the tropical oceans to mid-latitude land areas.

2. Shown here is an atmospheric river traveling across the Pacific between October 25 and November 2, 2014. (White colors are clouds, light blues water vapor, and green to red precipitation.)

TAG: Atmospheric rivers tend to intensify during El Niño events, and this year's strong El Niño is likely to bring more precipitation to California and some relief for the drought.