Atmospheric rivers carry intense rainfall and have the potential to replenish depleted reservoirs and rebuild thin snow packs in drought-stricken areas along the West Coast of the U.S. Their very nature is changing, however, as a result of climate change - atmospheric rivers will warm and intensify, with more precipitation in each storm, and more of that falling as rain than snow. Dr. Gonzales discusses how this poses a challenge to water management and adaptation.
