Climate Impacts Group

The Office of the Washington State Climatologist, Climate Impacts Group, and partners release 2021 PNW Water Year Impacts Assessment

The 2021 Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Assessment summarizes the water year conditions and related impacts experienced by farmers, water managers, fisheries managers, and other natural resource managers.

ACCESS THE ASSESSMENT

This assessment describes the climate of the water year and related impacts. For several years, researchers, water and resource managers, and organizations working to integrate research and resource management in Oregon and Washington have held a joint Water Year Recap and Outlook meeting. A separate but similar meeting in Idaho is also held each year. In addition to these annual water year meetings, an Annual Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Survey is used to collect information on water year impacts for multiple sectors. 

Trends show decreasing snowfall in the Pacific Northwest, potential impacts to water supply

Annual snowfall in the Pacific Northwest appears to have decreased since the 20th century, part of a larger trend of declining snowfalls in the western United States partially driven by climate change. Matt Rogers and Karin Bumbaco (Office of the Washington State Climatologist) are quoted. 

“What we do in the next several decades by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and also by adapting to how we’re seeing the climate change can really make an impact on how that affects recreation, how that affects people, and whether or not we’re ready for it.” – Matt Rogers  

Weather experts forecast spring temperatures in Lower Columbia area through Sunday

Temperatures in the Lower Columbia area through Sunday are expected to counter the six more weeks of winter predicted on Groundhog Day just last week. Research from the Climate Impacts Group is referenced.  

An unexpected item is blocking cities’ climate change prep: obsolete rainfall records

New sewers and storm drains will need to withstand rainfall that’s becoming more intense in a changing climate. But as cities make plans to tear up streets and pour cement, most have little to no information about how climate change will worsen future storms. Research from the Climate Impacts Group is referenced. 

Local artist, Climate Impacts Group collaborate to share vision for climate-resilient future

Ever wonder what a climate-resilient future might look like? How the communities, wildlife and landscapes might compare to what we see in the Pacific Northwest now?

Local artist Claire Sianna Seaman and the Climate Impacts Group are helping us envision this future with a painting depicting climate resilience in the Pacific Northwest region.

An album of pictures taken by UW Photographer Mark Stone capture the many details and scenes of the painting. To portray the project digitally, staff from the Climate Impacts Group developed a web-based story combining photos of the painting, a written statement from Claire, and audio clips from a showcase of the painting. 

Atmospheric Rivers Spur Debates on Flood Management in Washington State

After a series of storms dumped unprecedented amounts of rainfall on the northwestern corner of Washington last November, small communities in the Nooksack Valley were left severely flooded and asking questions about how to prevent flood damage in the future. Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

Gangs Of Elk Are Feasting On Farmers’ Haystacks Across The Northwest

Gangs of wild elk are attacking farmers’ haystacks in Washington and Oregon. They’re hungry, after a long drought and record mountain snow this winter has driven animals down to the lowlands. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted. This story also ran in Wichita Eagle and OPB.  

Op-Ed: Weather disasters can teach us how to prepare for the future

With climate change our challenge now is to reduce the impacts of flooding on our communities. We can do that by learning from these events when they happen, writes Guillaume Mauger, UW research scientist at the Climate Impacts Group in an Op-Ed. 

NOW HIRING: Two research scientists to support climate adaptation research

Note 6/21/22: The search for these positions has ended. 

The UW Climate Impacts Group is now hiring for two research scientist positions to support Climate Impacts Group’s senior researchers on climate change research and adaptation projects. We are seeking one research scientist with a focus on natural resources, and another with a focus on the social sciences.

The Research Scientist Natural Resources position will 1) work with the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists to conduct applied research on climate impacts and adaptation in natural resources; 2) engage with partners and decision makers on projects in all stages of the adaptation process from vulnerability assessment to planning and implementation; and 3) provide analytical, logistical and project management support for research and applications. 

Hiring: Research Scientist – Natural Resources

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Research Scientist with a focus on natural resources. The Research Scientist will support climate impacts and adaptation research projects led by the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists. Focus areas may include natural hazards and ecological disturbances, landscape conservation, species and ecosystems, water resources, and sea level rise and coastal impacts.

We envision this position will: 1) work with the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists to conduct applied research on climate impacts and adaptation in natural resources; 2) engage with partners and decision makers on projects in all stages of the adaptation process from vulnerability assessment to planning and implementation; and 3) provide analytical, logistical, and project management support for research and applications.