Climate Impacts Group

I-5 reopens after mudslide blocks freeway in central Bellingham

A raft of mud slid onto Interstate 5 early Sunday, October 27, as rains hammered Bellingham, leading to a roughly 10-hour closure of the arterial route. Since the turn of the 21st century, there has not been an hour that has come close to the total of 1.42 inches that fell shortly before the slide. Bond is quoted. 

They came to Asheville looking for a ‘climate haven.’ Then came Hurricane Helene

Many people have moved to Asheville in recent years in search of a climate haven.

Now, Asheville is one of many places facing death and widespread destruction because of Hurricane Helene. NW CASC University Director and CIG Senior Scientist Meade Krosby is quoted. 

2024 Water Year in Review

The water year is closing out with some improvements to drought conditions thanks to rain showers and cooler weather across the state. A weak La Niña is likely to develop in late Fall. The Sept 11 Water Supply Availability Committee Meeting is embedded, in which Bumbaco presents.  

UW Climate Impacts Group contributes to new WA State Climate Resiliency Strategy

Members of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group have supported a newly released plan for state agencies to address the regional impacts of climate change, such as dwindling snowpack, rising seas, flooding and dangerous heat events like the 2021 Pacific Northwest “heat dome.”

State lays out plan to tackle impacts of climate change in Washington

10 state agencies came together to develop a new climate response strategy for Washington… Using the latest science as a foundation, the state’s climate strategy identifies actions that agencies will take to address the top climate change threats facing Washington. Interim director Jason Vogel is quoted.  

UW Climate Impacts Group contributes to new WA State Climate Resiliency Strategy

The UW Climate Impacts Group grounded the work with the most up-to-date science and developed a framework to measure progress on climate resilience. Vogel is quoted. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger and climate resilience specialist Carlie Stowe are mentioned.  

State agencies unveil plan to combat Washington’s climate threats

Local coverage of the Washington State Climate Resilience Strategy release. The Climate Impacts Group is mentioned.   

After two years of drought in the Yakima Basin, could relief be on the way?

As the Yakima Basin remains in its second consecutive year of drought, water right users are wondering when relief will come. Deputy state climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

State, Federal Officials Work to Measure Progress in Fight to Limit Climate Impacts

States and federal agencies are dedicating more staff, time, and resources than ever to help prepare communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems for a more extreme climate. With this encouraging activity comes a need to measure the progress and impact of resilience initiatives to determine which have proved successful—and which are falling short—and to use that information to direct future funding and revise efforts as needed.  Carlie Stowe is mentioned.  

Report outlines struggles, successes Pacific Northwest coastal tribes face in adapting to climate change

Coastal tribes in the Pacific Northwest are set to face some of the most dramatic effects of climate change in the region, from rising seas to more severe storms. The University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians conducted a series of listening sessions with leaders and citizens of 13 coastal tribes to hear how they were responding to climate challenges. NW CASC University Director and CIG Senior Scientist Meade Krosby is quoted.