Environment
Atmospheric rivers: research: forecasting methods: experimental tools
California requires atmospheric-river research to include experimental seasonal and subseasonal forecasting tools.
Longer-range forecasts can improve planning for floods, reservoir operations, water supply, and related hazards.
What the law does
- Directs the Department of Water Resources’ AR/FIRO Program to use experimental tools that produce seasonal atmospheric-river forecasts covering about one to six months.
- Directs the program to use experimental tools that produce subseasonal atmospheric-river forecasts covering about two to six weeks.
- Keeps the resulting research available to relevant federal, state, and local agencies for reservoir, flood-control, and water-storage decisions.
Who it affects
- The Department of Water Resources and its Atmospheric Rivers Research and Forecast Improvement Program.
- Water, flood-control, and emergency-planning agencies that use atmospheric-river information.
- Communities and water users affected by flooding, drought, and reservoir operations.