Theory 51/Earth & climate/Atmospheric rivers
Rivers Are Flux Against Convergence
The claim
The intensity of an atmospheric river is set by the ratio of moisture flux to convergence, so a fast filament can carry little water if it does not converge.
01Mechanism
Rainfall requires moisture to slow and rise; the ratio determines how much is released.
02Prediction
Intensity should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Intensity tracking moisture alone would remove convergence.