Climate Impacts Group

Letter from the Director – April 2026

Dear friends, supporters and colleagues:

I loved seeing so many of you at our 30th anniversary film screening event! We were honored to celebrate with over 250 supporters, collaborators, and community members. I particularly enjoyed the thoughtful panel discussion at the end, when former governor Jay Inslee asked far-reaching questions about resilience, storytelling, climate policy, and hope. And, I appreciated the insight of the former Climate Impacts Group director, Dr. Amy Snover, about the important climate change adaptation work happening at every level of government and across diverse organizations. Most importantly, the evening was a reminder of the power of being part of a vast community of people who care deeply about a more just and resilient future. 

NW CASC Now Accepting Applications for its 2027 Faculty Fellowship Program

Pacific Northwest Water Year 2025 Impacts Assessment Released

The sixth annual Pacific Northwest (PNW) Water Year Impacts Assessment provides a detailed evaluation of climate conditions and related impacts across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington during the 2025 water year (October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025). 

“Finding Tomorrow’s Climate in Today’s Landscapes”: New Study and Tools Available to Support Land Management Decisions Around Vegetation Change

A new, NW CASC-supported study led by researchers at the University of Montana and partners in the U.S. Forest Service, Conservation Science Partners, and Vibrant Planet, uses climate-analog modeling to explore the future of vegetation change in the western U.S. This study found that about one third of the western U.S. is highly vulnerable to ecological transformation by the middle of the 21st century, and that more than any other vegetation groups, subalpine forest and alpine ecosystems are most at risk of declining by mid-21st century. 

UW and DRCC release ‘Living With Water’ report

In January 2026, the Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC) and the UW Center for Disaster Resilient Communities (CDRC) released a report 18 months in the making regarding nature-based strategies to address flooding in Duwamish River communities. The project, entitled “Living With Water,” used community-based research strategies to identify nature-based solutions to flooding that align with community needs. The Climate Impacts Group was a partner on this project.

Washington weather explained: The 10 most extreme microclimates in WA

Washington is a state with a wide variety of climate zones and localized ‘microclimates.’ This engaging piece notes the most notable microclimates across WA and what factors create these unique climate features in our state. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond and Engagement Climatologist Jacob Genuise are featured.   

The Winter that Never Was

January brought warmer than normal temperatures and near record-breaking dry spells. Both factors contributed to worsening snowpack across the state. The Washington State Climate Office is mentioned.  

Q&A: UW researcher discusses how plants know when it’s time to bloom in the spring

This winter has been the warmest on record, which may lead to anomalous bloom times this Spring. Washington State Climate Office is mentioned.  

From December floods to February sunshine: Washington’s winter whiplash

From December’s flooding to January’s warm temperatures and less-than-average precipitation, this year’s winter has been particularly volatile. These observations offer a snapshot of northwest winters to come. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Washington seeks federal disaster aid for December flooding damage

The December 2025 flooding was triggered by intense atmospheric rivers. Warm conditions meant much of this precipitation fell as rain rather than snow, overwhelming river basins across Western Washington. The Washington State Climate Office is mentioned.