Daniel Swain in The Mercury News: Atmospheric river possible next week for California, raising flood concerns

Daniel Swain is a climate scientist at UCLA. In this Mercury News article, Swain discusses the “growing likelihood of an atmospheric river storm hitting California late next week, raising concerns that if a warm “Pineapple Express” barrels in with enough force, it could melt parts of the state’s big Sierra Nevada snow pack and increase flood risk.”

“The main problem if it does come to pass is that there is the potential for major flooding issues,” said Swain.“It’s a big if, but this is one of the few times recently we have had an above-average snow pack. This storm could cause some really big problems. But it is a big if.”