Weather Fact Wednesday: The Science Of Atmospheric Rivers

Yahoo04-06-2025

Everyone knows what a river is, but do you know about the concept of an atmospheric river? The majority of water vapor outside of the tropics is transported via atmospheric rivers, which are comparatively long, narrow areas in the atmosphere that resemble rivers in the sky. Since they are vital to the Earth's climate because they control a majority of the moisture flow from the tropics to the poles, they then have a hugh impact on sea ice, air temperatures, and other climate-related variables, since they have an effect in the growth of clouds. Not all atmospheric rivers are harmful though, as the majority are weak systems that often generate beneficial rain or snow that is necessary for the water supply.
Unfortunately, the good also brings with it the bad. For instance, the commonly recognized 'Pineapple Express,' which can carry precipitation from Hawaii to the US West Coast, may bring about mudslides, gridlocked roads, and significant property and personal damage. Like hurricanes, atmospheric rivers are rated, but unlike hurricanes, their ratings take into account the possibility that they may also be helpful. Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (outstanding) are the ratings' ranges.
Thus, the issue arises: do atmospheric rivers have an effect on D.C. and the surrounding area? Indeed, as atmospheric rivers have affected Washington, D.C. even though most are associated with the West Coast. One recent example was the atmospheric river that created flooding and a lot of rain earlier in May of 2025 along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Dog's ashes among dozens to rocket into orbit this weekend

New York Post

4 hours ago

New York Post

Dog's ashes among dozens to rocket into orbit this weekend

Bone voyage! A beloved dog named Franz will take his final leap this weekend — into Earth's orbit. The yellow labrador's ashes will be on board the inaugural Perseverance Flight from Texas-based Celestis Inc., which is scheduled to launch around 5:30 p.m. Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, CA. 4 Franz was like a sibling to Elizabeth Moore before he died at age 13 in October 2020. Celestis, Inc Carrying a total of 166 titanium and aluminum capsules, each about a quarter to a half-inch in size and filled with DNA or cremated remains, the 23-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will take two trips around Earth's low orbit at a mind-boggling 17,000 mph. The space flight will last about three hours before the rocket — still carrying its priceless payload — re-enters the atmosphere and lands in the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Alaska and Hawaii, according to Celestis CEO and co-founder Charles Chafer. A recovery ship, which was already out at sea Friday in anticipation of the launch, 'will track the incoming rocket, hopefully get a visual on it, and then go pick it up out of the ocean,' Chafer explained. 4 The Texas-based company Celestis Inc.'s inaugural Perseverance Flight will take two trips around Earth's Lower Orbit after blastoff on Sunday. The capsules will first be transported to Germany, then, within two months, distributed back to the families, who each paid a whopping $3,500 to send their loved one to the stars. While the price to send Franz on the voyage was 'a lot more' than the pooch itself, his owner, Harvin Moore, said with a laugh, it was only fitting for the 'space-fanatic' Moore family to send the pup beyond the stratosphere. 'He was the best dog, just so soft and nice and loved hugs,' recalled Moore, 60, who lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, just outside Austin. 4 The Moore family can't wait to watch their beloved pooch go galactic. Celestis, Inc Franz, who was 13 when he died in October 2020, was more like a sibling than a pet to Moore's now 26-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Quinn, 21, he said. Now, the family can't wait to watch the good boy go galactic. 'The emotional power of being with a group of people who are celebrating the life of a loved one in this way … it's amazing. It's nothing we'll ever forget,' said Moore. 'It's just pure joy.' 4 The Perseverance Flight will carry a total of 166 titanium and aluminum capsules, ranging in size from a quarter to a half-inch, filled with DNA or cremated remains. Celestis, Inc 'Many people whose ashes and DNA are flying are people that always wanted to go to space in their lifetime but were never able to do that. It also helps families move from feelings of grief to joy,' Chafer said. The cremated remains of Wesley Dreyer — an aerospace engineer who helped investigate the cause of the Space Shuttle Challenger's shocking explosion after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986 — will also be on board the Perseverance Flight, as well as DNA from a living, 3-year-old German boy.

Yahoo

7 hours ago

Yahoo

Juneteenth celebrated at Civic Plaza

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The City of Albuquerque celebrated Juneteenth at Civic Plaza Saturday. The holiday is this Thursday and honors the day slavery ended in the United States when, in 1865, the slaves in Galveston, Texas, were freed. Saturday's event is called Rooted in Selience: Rising in Unity and features powerful performances and activities, vendors, and all uplifting Black culture. People who came out shared what Juneteenth means to them. PHOTOS: No Kings Rally at Mariposa Basin Park 'It means our freedom, that we fought for our freedom all these years. We still fight for them,' said an attendee. The Juneteenth celebration is free to attend and is scheduled to continue at Civic Plaza until 11:00 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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