Climate Impacts Group

WA’s sunny days spell trouble for snowpack

This January is on track to be one of the five driest on record in Seattle. Snowpack lags across much of Washington and the statewide drought emergency persists, foreshadowing a potentially hazardous summer. Federal reservoirs sit at a fraction of their normal capacity. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

Welcome Becca Nixon, Climate Social Science Specialist!

We are excited to welcome Becca Nixon to the Climate Impacts Group team! Becca is joining us as a Climate Social Science Specialist with the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative. We asked Becca a couple of questions to get to know her better…

Snowboarders, skiers express concern over dwindling snowpack amid dry January

The sunny weather in January was a welcome sight for many in western Washington, but the unusually dry January is impacting the mountain snowpack, an important source of water. Emeritus Climatologist Nick Bond is mentioned.

Why should WA care about moving air? The answer is blowing in the wind

Everything you want to know about the science of wind. Emeritus Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted. 

WA wind touches everything, even at the bottom of the ocean

Everything you want to know about wind in Washington. Emeritus Climatologist Nick Bond is referenced. 

Despite early snowfall, Methow Valley remains ‘abnormally dry’ this winter

Although the Methow Valley looks and feels plenty wintry these days, the valley is designated as “abnormally dry” by the U.S. Drought Monitor, and snowpack in nearby mountains is below normal. Temperature and precipitation observations from the Washington State Climate Office are mentioned.

NW CASC Seeks Postdoc Focused on Coastal Squeeze

WA greenhouse gas emissions show pandemic dip in latest tallies

Washington greenhouse gas emissions hit lows not seen in decades during the first year of the COVID pandemic, according to the state’s latest emissions inventory released Monday. While it may be hard to draw conclusions from the reductions seen in the early years of the pandemic, future data might shed light on whether the state’s climate policies are driving the intended greenhouse gas emission reductions. Research by the UW Climate Impacts Group is referenced.  

La Niña or ‘La Nada’? WA starts winter with solid snowpack

Snowpack so far this winter is off to a decent start — though it’s too early in the season to make any sweeping conclusions, and broad swathes of Central and Eastern Washington are considered abnormally dry or suffering from drought. State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

NW CASC Hiring 3 Grad Students for Winter Quarter – Apply by Dec. 23!

The NW CASC, a program within the UW Climate Impacts Group, is hiring three graduate students for Winter quarter. Click on each job title below to learn more about the role and how to apply. Applications are due over email by Dec. 23!