AMOC slowdown may trigger stronger California storms, study says

Scientists from the University of California system say a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could intensify atmospheric rivers that bring heavy rain to California by the end of the century. Climate models link slower Atlantic currents to stronger high‑altitude winds that channel more moisture toward the West Coast, raising flood and landslide risks while also reducing snowfall in Greenland.

A complementary study from UC Davis shows that meltwater from northeast Pacific iceberg discharge can also weaken the AMOC, offering a new explanation for past Heinrich stadials. The research highlights that freshwater inputs from any ocean basin can disrupt the AMOC, with broad implications for global precipitation patterns, including Central America, the Amazon and West Africa.