Record Atmospheric Moisture Drives U.S. Flooding, More Extreme Rain Expected
The United States has experienced a summer of extreme weather, with record-breaking rainfall and destructive floods across 44 states, including Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Texas, and West Virginia. Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli attributes these events to an unprecedented combination of a strong El Niño, a marine heatwave, and long-term climate change. These factors have increased atmospheric moisture levels by 5-15% above average in the Pacific and much of the U.S. since June 2026. This excess moisture, transported by winds, has fueled extreme rainfall events, with some areas experiencing 1-in-1000-year rain events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts above-average precipitation from California to the East Coast this winter, with the southern jet stream potentially creating a 'storm highway' across the U.S. (Yahoo News, 2026-08-23). 
