New Jersey Atmospheric Rivers and Coastal Erosion

Daniel Brouse
February 2024

Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere that transport large amounts of water vapor. When these atmospheric rivers make landfall, they can bring heavy rainfall over an extended period, leading to increased runoff and potentially contributing to coastal erosion through several mechanisms:

1. Intense Rainfall: Atmospheric rivers can bring intense and prolonged rainfall, leading to increased runoff from rivers and streams into the coastal areas. This influx of water can contribute to soil erosion and sediment transport, impacting coastal ecosystems.
2. Flooding: The heavy rainfall associated with atmospheric rivers can cause inland flooding, leading to an increased discharge of water into coastal regions. This excess water can erode coastal land, especially in areas with vulnerable soils.
3. Storm Surges: In some cases, atmospheric rivers may coincide with storm systems, leading to storm surges along the coast. Storm surges, combined with high winds and heavy rainfall, can intensify erosion along the shoreline.

The image shows the Ocean City, New Jersey, shore after an atmospheric river coincided with storm surge.