Climate Impacts Group

Blend of unusual weather conditions brings trillions of gallons in persistent rain to the Northwest

A two-part atmospheric river event delivered nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain over western Washington in the past week, creating major flood conditions throughout the region. The origins of the atmospheric river can be traced across the Pacific ocean just north of Hawaii, where above-normal air and sea surface temperatures likely helped transport an especially large volume of precipitation to Washington. The rains have led to forecasts of record-setting flooding, particularly on the Skagit River. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

Western Washington faces ‘catastrophic’ flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain

The atmospheric river event that led to severe flooding in western Washington is an example of the kinds of storms we may be able to expect in an increasingly warm and wet future. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

Can We Predict Wildfires?

Drier, longer, and hotter summers are leading to increased fire risk across the Pacific Northwest, and new tools are being created to assess risk and map wildfire in real-time. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted.  

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

Celebrating 30 years of turning WA climate science into action

For 30 years, the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group has worked with partners across the Northwest to support science-backed strategies to promote climate resilience. Director Susan Dickerson-Lange is quoted. 

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.  

Native plants thrive in Eastern Washington’s dry climate — this organization is working to bring more to yards in the Tri-Cities

As the Eastern Washington region experiences increasingly longer and hotter summers, residents in the Tri-Cities are exploring native planting as a drought-tolerant landscaping method. The Climate Impacts Group Climate Impacts in the Northwest visualizer is cited.  

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.