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305 posts in Media Coverage
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| 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. 

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| 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. 

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| 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.  

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| 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.  

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| 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. 

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| 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.  

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| 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.  

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| Media Coverage

Ecology debunks federal climate report, reaffirms commitment to real science

The Washington Department of Ecology issued an official rebuke of a draft report by the U.S. Department of Energy being used to justify the Trump Administration’s rollback of federal climate regulations. At the same time, Ecology also released a new analysis that details worsening local impacts now and in the future due to rising global emissions. The Climate Impacts Group IPCC AR6 and NCA5 assessment is cited.  

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| Media Coverage

It’s hot out there! Western Washington endures late summer heatwave

Heatwaves in August were experienced regionally in August. Late summer high temperatures are magnified by a lack of rain, which has become more common in the Northwest during the summer months. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

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| Media Coverage

La Niña is over. What’s in the fall and winter forecast for Western Washington?

Fall and winter in Bellingham, and the rest of Western Washington, could be closer to seasonal norms, as last winter’s La Niña weather pattern — now in a neutral phase — is expected to return half-heartedly late in the year. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

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