Atlantic meridional overturning circulation slowdown modulates atmospheric rivers in a warmer climate

Nature Communications, Published online: 04 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-72555-w Using twenty-first-century climate model projections, this study shows that a weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation will increase the frequency of atmospheric rivers in the mid-latitudes, especially along North America’s west coast, leading to significant increase of atmospheric river–driven winter precipitation in California.