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VERIFY: Is A 'Pineapple Express' Bringing All This Rain?

You ask; we VERIFY. Is a so-called 'pineapple express' system bringing all the rain?

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It sounds like a funny term -- in fact, it is the title of a comedy movie called "Pineapple Express," featuring James Franco.

VERIFY QUESTION

Is it also a weather phenomenon bringing nearly a full week of rain to the Triad?

VERIFY SOURCE

  • WFMY News 2 meteorologist Terran Kirksey

VERIFY PROCESS

Kirksey explained the textbook definition of a Pineapple Express is "a strong and persistent flow of moisture and precipitation originating near Hawaii" and extending to the west coast.

Looking at the current radar map, this current source of moisture is coming from Hawaii, yet it's extending south through Mexico and up through the east coast. Thus, it loses the Pineapple Express title.

A Pineapple Express is, however, the proper term when describing the record rainfall in parks of California right now.

VERIFY CONCLUSION

It is true a system from Hawaii is bringing heavy rain to the Triad, but we cannot call it a Pineapple Express.

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