California Braces for 12th Atmospheric River and Powerful Storms with Heavy Rain and Flooding

California is facing its 12th significant atmospheric river since late December, following a historic megadrought. While the storms have alleviated the drought, they have also been destructive and deadly, causing flooding and mudslides. The number of storms is unusually high, with some meteorologists counting up to 29 so far this season. The climate crisis may be playing a role in the increase in storms, as it leads to an increase in moisture in the atmosphere. Despite the hazards, California is lucky to have breaks in between the storm cycles, and the storms have erased the dire impacts of the drought.