California is in the grips of an atmospheric river that's causing flooding all over the state. Climate change might be intensifying storms like it — but scientists are still working out the details.

A powerful storm is soaking Northern California and Oregon, bringing high winds and flood risk. It's known as an atmospheric river. A big question is if climate change is making these storms worse.

In a recent study, researchers found climate change increased the amount of rainfall from two atmospheric rivers in February 2017, which notably damaged Oroville Dam, California’s second-largest ...

As climate change continues, these storms are expected to get worse, experts said. Water flows from Phoenix Lake, Dec. 30, 2022, in Ross, California. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images ...

There are many variables involved when linking atmospheric river events to climate change. Earlier this year, another major variable that was in place was El Niño.

An atmospheric river can hold as much as 15 times as much water as the Mississippi River. Human-driven climate change has primed the atmosphere to hold more of that water.

An atmospheric river can hold as much as 15 times as much water as the Mississippi River. Human-driven climate change has primed the atmosphere to hold more of that water.

President Trump and Gov. Abbott have downplayed the link between extreme weather and climate change. Scientists say the warming climate is making storms worse.

Using a high-resolution climate model and future greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, the international research team analyzed how atmospheric rivers might change over Antarctica in the coming decades.

California is in the grips of an atmospheric river that's causing flooding all over the state. Climate change might be intensifying storms like it —but scientists are still working out the details.

California is in the grips of an atmospheric river that's causing flooding all over the state. Climate change might be intensifying storms like it — but scientists are still working out the details.