Pacific Northwest Storm of 13-15 November 2015: A Synopsis of Landfalling Atmospheric River Conditions

November 25, 2015

CW3E researcher Brian Kawzenuk provides an analysis and synopsis of an Atmospheric River that made landfall along the U.S. Pacific Northwest over the 13-15 November 2015 period. The AR made initial landfall along the Washington coast and lead to significant precipitation for nearly three days throughout western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The AR initially developed near Japan and propagated across the entire North Pacific Ocean before making landfall.


 

Above is a sequence of 30-minute NEXRAD radar composite imagery from 12-15 November 2015 which shows precipitation throughout the Pacific Northwest during nearly the entire period.


 

 

The above loop shows SSMI Integrated Water Vapor during 10-15 November 2015.