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Rains help fill reservoirs, but warmer storms have put Oregon in a snowpack deficit

Following a three-year drought cycle, this August to November saw record warm temperatures for the region. Recent heavy rains have benefitted reservoir levels, especially in Washington, but a series of warm storms have led to a slow start to the snow season across Oregon and Washington. Precipitation deficits in central and southern Oregon have further limited snowpack growth. Engagement Climatologist with the Washington State Climate Office Jacob Genuise is quoted. 

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| Media Coverage

Flooding is a familiar foe on the Lummi Reservation

Floodwaters cut off two of three main roads in and out of the Lummi Nation last week, prompting the Lummi Nation to declare a state of emergency. There are not enough long-term gauges available in the basin to say for certain if flooding has changed historically, but this recent flooding event and major flooding back in 2021 have renewed concerns about future flooding vulnerability along the Nooksack. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

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| December 2025, Newsletters, Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center

NW CASC’s Research Fellowship Program: Championing Early-Career Climate Adaptation Scientists for Almost a Decade

A researcher wades into a mountain river to install a structure that creates deep, cold-water pools for sensitive fish in the heat of summer. Another hikes through remote terrain to set up trail cameras that will share secrets about where elusive, snow-dependent species are present and where they are not. Meanwhile, states away, another researcher treks into a burned forest to see what is growing back after the flames. The thread that connects these endeavors? These are Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) research fellows, conducting projects to understand how species and ecosystems are being impacted by climate change, and what can be done to help them persist in our rapidly changing world. 

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| Media Coverage

Northwest floods offer sneak peek of hotter climate’s toll

Climate scientists say December’s back-to-back atmospheric rivers and extreme flooding offer a sneak peek into our warmer future. Although they can bring beneficial precipitation, climate scientists expect them to grow more powerful, arrive more frequently, and last longer as Earth’s climate keeps warming. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger and Director of the Northwest CASC Meade Krosby are quoted.  

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| Media Coverage

This week’s atmospheric river could be among longest on record

An atmospheric river is tearing through Western Washington this week, dumping massive quantities of water and flooding some areas in the region. If you feel like these climatological phenomena are hitting harder when they make landfall, you’re not alone. Some scientists think so too and figure our warming atmosphere and oceans might be at least partially to blame. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

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| Media Coverage

‘GO NOW’ ordered for all of Skagit floodplain ahead of historic flood

This atmospheric river not only presents a slew of immediate dangers, but it underscores a growing risk for our region. Major floods are becoming more severe and expected to hit more frequently. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is mentioned. 

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| Media Coverage

Is the Pacific Northwest ready for a wave of climate migration?

KUOW heard from more than a dozen families that said climate change was a driving factor in their decision to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. Climate migration is difficult to study, and even harder to predict, because a complex constellation of factors guides the decision to pick up and move. A literature review from the Climate Impacts Group is mentioned. 

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| Media Coverage

Blend of unusual weather conditions brings trillions of gallons in persistent rain to the Northwest

A two-part atmospheric river event delivered nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain over western Washington in the past week, creating major flood conditions throughout the region. The origins of the atmospheric river can be traced across the Pacific ocean just north of Hawaii, where above-normal air and sea surface temperatures likely helped transport an especially large volume of precipitation to Washington. The rains have led to forecasts of record-setting flooding, particularly on the Skagit River. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

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| Media Coverage

Western Washington faces ‘catastrophic’ flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain

The atmospheric river event that led to severe flooding in western Washington is an example of the kinds of storms we may be able to expect in an increasingly warm and wet future. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

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| Media Coverage

WA snow country: What’s new in winter 2025

Snowpack is at historic lows across the state, but this does not necessarily mean we will end up with poor snowpack this year. There is still a good chunk of winter left, and a weak La Nina could help out snowpack later this winter. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

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