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A sign warns of potential flooding in Capitola Village Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Capitola, Calif. An atmospheric river is set to make its way into Northern California, bringing warnings of heavy rain, possible flooding and high winds.(AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A sign warns of potential flooding in Capitola Village Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Capitola, Calif. An atmospheric river is set to make its way into Northern California, bringing warnings of heavy rain, possible flooding and high winds.(AP Photo/Nic Coury)

air, food & water, cities & towns, climate change

Daniel Swain for The Seattle Times — First of back-to-back atmospheric rivers pushes into California. Officials urge storm preparations

UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain discusses the threat posed by back-to-back atmospheric rivers in California for The Seattle Times, emphasizing the need for storm preparations and readiness for potential flooding, heavy snow, and damaging winds. Swain mentions the term “Pineapple Express” to describe the atmospheric rivers due to their long plume of moisture stretching back to near Hawaii. “This is well south of Hawaii, so not just a Pineapple Express,” Swain said.