Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

High-Resolution Model-Based Investigation of Moisture Transport into the Pacific Northwest during a Strong Atmospheric River Event

Michael J. Mueller Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences, and NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado

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Kelly M. Mahoney Physical Sciences Division, NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado

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Mimi R. Abel Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences, and NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado

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Print Publication:
01 Sep 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-16-0466.1
Page(s):
3861–3879
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Abstract

A series of precipitation events impacted the Pacific Northwest during the first two weeks of November 2006. This sequence was punctuated by a particularly potent inland-penetrating atmospheric river (AR) that produced record-breaking precipitation across the region during 5–7 November. The precipitation caused destructive flooding as far inland as Montana’s Glacier National Park, 800 km from the Pacific Ocean. This study investigates the inland penetration of moisture during the event using a 4–1.33-km grid spacing configuration of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modeling system. A high-resolution simulation allowed an analysis of interactions between the strong AR and terrain features such as the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River Gorge (CR Gorge).

Moisture transport in the vicinity of the Cascades is assessed using various metrics. The most efficient pathway for moisture penetration was through the gap (i.e., CR Gap) between Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood, which includes the CR Gorge. While the CR Gap is a path of least resistance through the Cascades, most of the total moisture transport that survived transit past the Cascades overtopped the mountain barrier itself. This is due to the disparity between the length of the ridge (~800 km) and relatively narrow width of the CR Gap (~93 km). Moisture transport reductions were larger across the Washington Cascades and the southern-central Oregon Cascades than through the CR Gap. During the simulation, drying ratios through the CR Gap (9.3%) were notably less than over adjacent terrain (19.6%–30.6%). Drying ratios decreased as moisture transport intensity increased.

© 2017 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Michael J. Mueller, michael.mueller@noaa.gov

Abstract

A series of precipitation events impacted the Pacific Northwest during the first two weeks of November 2006. This sequence was punctuated by a particularly potent inland-penetrating atmospheric river (AR) that produced record-breaking precipitation across the region during 5–7 November. The precipitation caused destructive flooding as far inland as Montana’s Glacier National Park, 800 km from the Pacific Ocean. This study investigates the inland penetration of moisture during the event using a 4–1.33-km grid spacing configuration of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modeling system. A high-resolution simulation allowed an analysis of interactions between the strong AR and terrain features such as the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River Gorge (CR Gorge).

Moisture transport in the vicinity of the Cascades is assessed using various metrics. The most efficient pathway for moisture penetration was through the gap (i.e., CR Gap) between Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood, which includes the CR Gorge. While the CR Gap is a path of least resistance through the Cascades, most of the total moisture transport that survived transit past the Cascades overtopped the mountain barrier itself. This is due to the disparity between the length of the ridge (~800 km) and relatively narrow width of the CR Gap (~93 km). Moisture transport reductions were larger across the Washington Cascades and the southern-central Oregon Cascades than through the CR Gap. During the simulation, drying ratios through the CR Gap (9.3%) were notably less than over adjacent terrain (19.6%–30.6%). Drying ratios decreased as moisture transport intensity increased.

© 2017 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Michael J. Mueller, michael.mueller@noaa.gov
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