Climate Impacts Group

Celebrating 30 years of turning WA climate science into action (Public News Service)

Long Range Forecasting. Is it useful or useless?

In this longer format video podcast episode produced by KOMO, Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond discusses the appropriate applications of seasonal outlooks and why seasonal outlooks can be so difficult to forecast.  

Washington Braces for a La Niña Winter

A mild La Niña pattern could bring a few mountain snow flurries but not a guaranteed snowy season. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is interviewed. 

PNW water year off to better start

Several watersheds in the PNW region are experiencing above-normal precipitation as water year 2026 begins. A slight lean above normal precipitation is forecasted this winter for most of the Pacific Northwest. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

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.   

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.  

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.  

‘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. 

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. 

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.