COLUMBIA, S.C. — Picture a river in the sky. These "rivers" can be thousands of miles, bringing heavy amounts of rainfall.
Atmospheric rivers can bring long periods of rain, sometimes leading to flooding. While they pose challenges, especially when intense and persistent, atmospheric rivers can also play a helpful role in replenishing water sources.
"Pineapple Express" is a term that you may have heard. It's used when an atmospheric river originates near Hawaii. Warm and moist air near Hawaii is lifted and transported.
It is also possible on the East Coast encounter atmospheric rivers with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. However, they are typically less influential.