The danger of the heavenly river

Weather phenomenon "atmospheric river", also known as "the river in the sky", can cause flooding and flash floods.

Strange images are being shared by many Americans on social networks in recent days. Behind the magnificence of the big cloud like this river are unpredictable hazards.

"River" is black on the California sky - (photo: REUTERS).

The atmospheric river is a large and dense cloud, comparing width and length, it is like a big river crossing the sky, carrying much larger amounts of steam than regular clouds. That amount of water is enough for many areas of California to be flooded for days. Heavy rain, intense, may include flash floods.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), atmospheric rivers can be 400-600km wide and are endless. They carry steam from the tropics and the oceans. When approaching land, they release steam in the form of rain or snow.

Picture depicting and warning about the "atmospheric river" of the US National Weather Service - (photo: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE).

The coast and valley are expected to have an average rainfall of about 50-150 mm, the foothills and mountains are 120-250mm.

The river has begun to hit the California coast with light rain. Expected from March 22, heavy rains with high destructive power will appear. There are 30,000 people living in the vicinity of Santa Barbara's county coast, where a flash flood occurred in January, received an emergency relocation order.