A database of objectively identified atmospheric rivers based on a multi-method fusion algorithm

Abstract. Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long, narrow corridors in the atmosphere that transport immense amounts of water vapor poleward across the mid-latitudes. On one hand, ARs can act as one of the precipitation sources, end drought, accumulate snowpacks, and support ecosystems and the society. One the other hand, ARs also represent a type of hazard and are responsible for economic losses, such as by extreme precipitation and winds, rain on existing snowpacks, or causing debris flows and landslides. Given the importance of ARs, this paper proposes a multi-method fusion algorithm for more objectively identifying ARs on a global scale. The proposed algorithm, based on the vertically integrated water vapor transport (IVT), integrates advanced strategies from multiple existing algorithms and introduces a dual-axis test method to enhance the stability of AR identification. Using IVT data fr…