Skip to main content Skip to footer unit links

News and Events

Filter News

308 posts in Media Coverage
all posts »
| Media Coverage

Marine heatwave over Pacific Ocean could lead to flooding in north-west

A marine heatwave known as a blob was especially severe this year in the north-western and central Pacific Ocean, which could lead in the coming months to increased flooding in the US Pacific north-west and especially wintery weather in eastern North America, according to climate scientists. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted.   

Read here.
| Media Coverage

Washington water year cut into irrigation allotments

Washington’s 2025 water year was dry and hot and its effects are lingering into the new water year. In early October, the Department of Ecology curtailed senior water rights in the Yakima Basin due to lack of available water. This is the first time that senior water rights have been curtailed in Washington. The Washington State Climate Office calculates the water year — Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025 — was the 37th driest and four warmest on record. Records date back to 1895. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Read here.
| Media Coverage

Return of The Blob: Heat wave spans Pacific Ocean

A massive heat wave is hitting the Pacific Ocean from Kamchatka to California. Beyond disrupting the ocean’s food web and fisheries, the underwater heat wave, known as “The Blob,” can alter weather on land thousands of miles away. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted.  

Read here.
| Media Coverage

‘The blob’ returns: Record Pacific Ocean heatwave threatens weather, marine life

It’s back!!! The “blob” has returned. No, not the 1958 sci-fi film of the same name starring a young Steve McQueen in his first leading role. This “blob” is the marine heatwave that now spans much of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted. 

Read here.
| Media Coverage

Strategy in action: Achievements and next steps for Washington’s climate resilience strategy

June to August of 2025 was, according to the Washington State Climate Office, the fourth-warmest since 1895. The summer of 2025 was also the seventh-driest in that time span – with much of the state under a drought emergency declaration, the sixth in the past 10 years. The Washington State Climate Office is mentioned. 

Read here.
| Media Coverage

West Seattle Ecology Fair 2025, report #2: Heat waves aren’t just a source of discomfort

Today’s West Seattle Ecology Fair at Our Lady of Guadalupe was about more than just connecting with resources… – it was also an opportunity to hear about climate science. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted and the UW Climate Impacts Group is mentioned.  

Read here.
| Media Coverage

The Attacks on Science Continue—This Time at the USGS

Through a massive budget slashing proposal, the Trump administration is threatening [the USGS] by defunding the agency’s biology programs. With a 90 percent cut to its budget, the Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA) would have a mere $29 million to spend next year. The move would be disastrous to this biological research arm of the Interior Department, where scientists monitor the changes to plants and animal populations occurring across the country. Senior scientist Meade Krosby is quoted.  

Read here.
| Media Coverage

Glacierless Peak? The icy realms of Washington’s North Cascades lose their cool

Statewide, the summer of 2025 (June-August) was the fourth-warmest and the seventh-driest since 1895. Glacier Peak is trending to be essentially glacierless within 50 years. Engagement Climatologist Jacob Genuise is mentioned. 

Read here.
| Media Coverage

Scientists warn ‘warm blob’ anomaly in Pacific Ocean could make this winter brutal

Something strange is happening in the Pacific Ocean. South of Alaska, sea surface temperatures started surging well above average this summer. The “warm blob” is back, and it has implications for marine life and winter weather. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted.  

Read here.
| Media Coverage

Can fall 2025 get Washington out of its dry streak?

Even though this spring and summer had fewer days above 90 degrees than other hot years, it was also the third driest on record, on top of below-normal rainfall since the 2024 water year started. Washington will need more than above-normal precipitation this winter to make up for the precipitation deficit of the last three years. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Read here.
Back to Top