Climate Impacts Group

We’re hiring a research scientist specializing in water management – apply by 9/27

The UW Climate Impacts Group has an outstanding opportunity for a mid-career research scientist who specializes in water management systems to join our team and play a critical role in advancing climate resilience for the Pacific Northwest.

New project better maps Skagit River flooding risks

New Skagit flood models help officials, residents better understand risks

Some of the smaller towns in Skagit County are still using paper maps with 40-year-old floodplain designations to inform their decision-making. To fill that information vacuum, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community just wrapped up a two-year project to create an updated, climate-change-informed model of Skagit River and coastal flooding, from the Cascades to the Skagit and Samish deltas. Guillaume Mauger was quoted. 

Climate Smart Communities Initiative Awards CIG, Kalispel Tribe $115k to Support Community-Led Climate Resilience Project

The UW Climate Impacts Group (CIG) was awarded a grant from the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI), a public-private partnership that helps communities across the country plan and prepare for extreme weather events and other climate impacts.

This award, which includes $115,000 in funding as well as technical support, will enable CIG, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Kalispel Public Works Advisory Committee to work together to address critical water-related climate hazards such as flooding, drought, and stormwater infrastructure degradation in the Kalispel community. The grant will support staff coordination and data collection to complete a Drought, Flood, and Stormwater Vulnerability Assessment for the protection of critical infrastructure and natural habitats. 

Register Today for the OR/WA Water Year 2026 Recap & 2027 Outlook Meeting

The 20th annual Oregon-Washington Water Year Meeting: 2026 Recap and 2027 Outlook will be held as two virtual morning meetings. There is no cost to attend but you are required to register. 

The goal of this meeting is to share and gather information regarding climate impacts of the 2026 water year. December flooding, lack of winter snowpack, drought development, and the above average wildfire season will be topics of discussion. This meeting will also offer the opportunity to learn from others about mitigation actions that were taken through group discussion. Forecast experts will provide expectations for 2027, including discussion of what the very strong El Niño in the tropical Pacific means for the region.  

Climate Matters: A Wildfire Note From Dave Upthegrove, Washington DNR (Washington Climate Office)

Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands, reminds us that we are not powerless in the face of wildfire. This month’s Washington State Climate Office Climate Matters takes a look at what the Department of Natural Resources is doing to manage wildfire risk statewide. 

What to expect from a ‘very strong’ El Niño in the Pacific Northwest

To help understand what we should expect, the UW College of Environment sat down with Deputy Washington State Climatologist and UW Climate Impacts Group research scientist Karin Bumbaco, who discussed how El Niño works, what it has to do with climate change and how it might impact the Pacific Northwest this winter. 

UW Environment celebrates partnership and impact at Community-Engaged Research Symposium

A week of connection and collaboration across the Pacific Northwest helps shape Seattle’s Climate Action Plan

Applications for the 2026 Climate Equity and ReSilience Conference Now Open

Are you a graduate student (master’s, doctoral, post-doc) or early-career professional (five years from a terminal degree) interested in understanding how climate equity and resilience connects to your research, work, or life?

The Climate Equity and Resilience Institute (CERSI) invites you to a transformative week-long program designed to deepen your knowledge and grow your community.

From September 27-October 4, 2026, participants will get to explore climate resilience through place-based learning, immersive field trips, and engaging discussions with guest speakers, all while building meaningful connections with others passionate about how climate intersects with societies and culture in a variety of contexts.