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At the heart of California's water supply are atmospheric rivers-narrow, long ribbons of moisture that transport huge amounts of water vapor from the tropics toward the poles. When atmospheric rivers move inland and strike mountains, the air rises and cools, creating heavy rainfall. Atmospheric rivers are the source of 30-50 percent of precipitation along the U.S. West Coast, and they are a major driver of the region's most serious floods. But the events are also called "drought busters" because just one or two storms can help replenish the water system during dry spells. [Source: NOAA Climate.gov]
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