Satellite and CALJET Aircraft Observations of Atmospheric Rivers over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean during the Winter of 1997/98

Abstract This study uses a unique combination of airborne and satellite observations to characterize narrow regions of strong horizontal water vapor flux associated with polar cold fronts that occurred over the eastern North Pacific Ocean during the winter of 1997/98. Observations of these “atmospheric rivers” are compared with past numerical modeling studies to confirm that such narrow features account for most of the instantaneous meridional water vapor transport at midlatitudes. Wind and water vapor profiles observed by dropsondes deployed on 25–26 January 1998 during the California Land-falling Jets Experiment (CALJET) were used to document the structure of a modest frontal system. The horizontal water vapor flux was focused at low altitudes in a narrow region ahead of the cold front where the combination of strong winds and large water vapor content were found as part of a low-level jet. A close correlation was found between these fluxes and the integrated water vapor (IWV) content. In this case, 75%...

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