Ever heard of the Pineapple Express? California collects weather patterns with odd names.
Does it have a drought? Blame the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge (Triple R). Did it just get super heavy rainfall? That's the fault of the Pineapple Express. Fortunately for the drought stricken state, the Triple R has faded and it has huge, wet Pineapples in its future.
Triple R: the high pressure area that blocked California rainfall for two years.
The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge was the name weathermen, starting with Daniel Swain of The California Weather Blog, gave to an obnoxious high atmospheric pressure pattern that formed off the West Coast. (A “ridge” is another name for an area of high pressure.) High pressure patterns block rainfall; think “High and Dry”. Storms veer around the high pressure areas. Normally a “High” parks off the West Coast in summer and California has a dry season. Then it drifts away and the West Coast has a rainy winter.
In 2013 and through most of 2014, the “High” refused to leave. It blocked rainfall and California had a record-breaking drought. Storm after storm was turned away by a ridge that resisted movement. It stayed put for a ridiculous length of time, earning its Triple R name.
This November, the ridge finally left. There is nothing blocking the rainfall. Yeah!
.jpg)
Here comes an atmospheric river to pour rain on the West Coast
Enter the Pineapple Express!
Occasionally a long stream of tropical moisture gets steered away from the tropics. These are called atmospheric rivers. Typically these “rivers” are huge bands of water vapor, 250 to 350 miles-wide that carry as much as 300,000 tons of water. This is 7 to 15 times as much as the mouth of the Mississippi River. On any given day, these bands of water vapor account for more than 90% of the movement of tropical moisture north and south.
The ones that usually hit the West Coast pass through Hawaii first, earning the name “Pineapple Express”. They are especially heavy when the Pacific is experiencing El Niño style warmth, like it is right now. In the past couple of years, the Triple R blocked these rivers of rain. Now, there is nothing in the way.
The Pineapple Express is bringing abundant rain to thirsty California.
So congratulations, California. Nothing is blocking that desperately needed rainfall. So grab your umbrella and watch out for pineapples!
ADVERTISEMENT
2020-21 Driest water year because of La Nina, then previously less than the 2001-02's
dry water rain season mark, because it was Not an El Nino or La Nina year, then driest El Nino of 2006-07 year,
I remember the 2009-10 Moderate El Nino from January 17-22, 2010 that brought the Pineapple Express an atmospheric river from Hawaii, with rain and wind, flooding, then tornado hit in Huntington Beach,
In 2010-11 was Strong La Nina wet year, brought Pineapple Express heavy rain in December 15 to 22, 2010, then on March 20-27, 2011. It was a La Nina year.
There has definitely been some response to the El Nino! I really think the La Nina's of 2010-11 and 2011-12 has put California in such bad shape but they desperately needs the rain, and it is nice to see that things have finally turned around. The problem is when it comes so fast, because the ground can't absorb so much rain at a time and just like we've seen the past couple of months.. has led to mudslides and flooding.
Also with the strong pacific jet bringing in pacific air to a large part of the United States, the majority of the nation has been allowed to warm. Of course this would be bad news for winter lovers like myself but with the active southern jet, it's hard not see any big snows looming in the future that are so common with El Nino winters. Right now I'm patiently waiting to board the next one (the Siberian Express)
Here's to hoping for more rain in California and more snow on the east coast for all of us ski fanatics!
As a resident of Southern California, I am extremely happy to see the rain and snow coming in to reduce our drought. My question and concern is, will the "Pineapple Express" continue long enough to erase our drought this winter? . .. given the Farmer's Almanac's prediction of less than normal rainfall for Southern California this winter?
Thank you,
David
Remember, I am a guest blogger and don't create the official Almanac forcast. I write the Browning Newsletter.
My observations are that there is a great opportunity for large areas of California to end their short-term drought. However, the state has been draining its underground waters and the long-term drought will linger. A single year like this is not enough to replace all that missing underground water.
Comments