Climate Impacts Group

Special Edition Drought Status Update for Pacific Northwest Tribal Nations

Report summarizing current conditions, outlook, and takeaways regarding snowpack, heat, and drought as it applies to tribal lands in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State Deputy Climatologist is a co-author.  

‘Most of our snow is already gone,’ Washington climatologist says; recent heat wave had little impact

The recent spate of hot weather sent many Clark County residents scrambling to find a cool escape. However, the soaring temperatures had little impact on snowpack melt coming from the mountains. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

Meet the Rare, ‘Beautiful’ Birds That Thrive in Snow and Are at Risk Because of Climate Change

The Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan is specialized to dwell in high alpine environments—that is to say, it thrives in cold weather. But as the planet heats up because of human-caused climate change, these birds are in trouble. Now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hopes to protect them from that fate by listing them as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. The federal agency announced its decision this month, citing climate change as the primary reason. Nick Bond, Emeritus State Climatologist, is quoted.  

Case Study: An Early Drought Declaration Gave Washington Communities Opportunity To Prepare

A drought declaration earlier this spring opened up funding to eligible public entities in Washington to respond to more intense drought conditions before they arrived this summer. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is a co-author.  

A costly cool: Seattle residents turn to AC during heat wave

With Puget Sound region temperatures in the 90s, box fans aren’t cutting it. Residents are turning to something that was once as un-Seattle as umbrellas and honking in traffic: air conditioning. Jason Vogel, interim director of the UW Climate Impacts Group, is quoted. 

Washington snowpack already mostly melted heading into heat wave.

High temperatures across Washington will contribute to fire danger, elevate temperatures in streams and have an impact on wildlife, but they won’t likely play a major role in melting snowpack because so much of it is already gone by this time of year. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Welcoming our EarthLab Summer Interns

The Climate Impacts Group is excited to welcome four UW undergraduate students to our team this summer! Caroline Hale, Lupita Ocampo, Anusriya Rahman Ornie and Cora Schultz are joining our team through the EarthLab Summer Internship program. Learn more about each of these students:  

Caroline Hale 

Climate Justice Academy Curriculum & Coordination Intern

Caroline Hale (she/her) is a rising senior at the University of Washington, double majoring in Environmental Studies and Sociology. Her interests converge at the intersection of the natural world, biological sciences and sociological perspectives. Throughout her academic journey, Caroline has had the opportunity to work in collaboration with faculty members on research projects related to her degrees and is eager to leverage these experiences to support research in the Climate Impacts Group. 

GHC among WA colleges sharing $9.3 million to build a climate-ready workforce

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) will receive a $9.3 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a climate-ready workforce. The UW Climate Impacts Group and the Office of the Washington State Climatologist are partners in this program.  

WA Welcomes a New State Climatologist

Washington has a new state climatologist. Guillaume Mauger, a research scientist in the UW Climate Impacts Group, succeeds Nick Bond in the role. Mauger is quoted.   

Dr. Guillaume Mauger named Washington State Climatologist

Dr. Guillaume Mauger has been named the next director of the Office of the Washington State Climatologist. Mauger’s appointment began earlier this month. 

Mauger succeeds Dr. Nick Bond, who retired from the role in February after nearly 14 years. Karin Bumbaco, deputy state climatologist, served as interim state climatologist from February to May. 

Currently a research scientist at the Climate Impacts Group, Mauger has 15 years of experience working in climate change impacts and adaptation in the Pacific Northwest with a focus on flooding and water availability.

“Mauger’s deep knowledge of climate impacts in the Northwest and long history working with decision makers, resource managers and community members makes him an excellent choice for the next State Climatologist,” Jason Vogel, interim director of the Climate Impacts Group, says.