Atmospheric River Causes Flood Watch in Bay Area, Sacramento, and Other Parts of Northern California

An atmospheric river is rolling over California, causing the National Weather Service to put a portion of Northern California under flood watch.

A car sits partially submerged on a flooded road during a rainstorm in Long Beach, Calif., on Feb. 1, 2024. (Photo by David SWANSON / AFP) Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

An atmospheric river is rolling over California, causing the National Weather Service to put a portion of Northern California under flood watch.

An atmospheric river is a stream of moisture in the sky that can cause heavy rain or snow once it reaches land.