Climate Impacts Group

La Nina releasing its less-than-icy grip over Northwest

The National Weather Service predicts a La Nina will exit soon, uncharacteristically leaving behind a puny snowpack in Oregon and Washington. Below-average temperatures triggered the La Nina, normally linked to colder and wetter winters in the Pacific Northwest. This winter, however, has been more typical of a strong El Nino, triggered by warm seas. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Snow is a no-show for much of the state

The snowpack at Harts Pass is healthy, but that’s the exception for Washington’s normally snowy mountains. Despite record-breaking rainstorms in December, this winter has been warmer and drier than usual, leaving most of the state with little to no snow. The overall state snowpack as of early February was lower than in 95% of all years in the historical record. Engagement Climatologist Jacob Genuise is quoted.  

Pacific Northwest in historic snow drought

October through January marked the warmest first four months of the water year ever recorded in Washington, averaging more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Oregon snowpack at record low as Northwest faces deepening snow drought

Oregon’s snowpack has fallen to its lowest level on record for this time of year, part of a broader snow drought gripping the Pacific Northwest and raising concerns about water supplies, wildfire risk and impacts to farms and fisheries. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Letter from the Director – February 2026

Dear friend,

As we watch this winter’s weather unfold and keep a close eye on our very low snowpack conditions, we have also begun planning for summer – including preparing to welcome a new cohort of student interns through the EarthLab internship program! UW undergraduate students from all departments and campuses are eligible to apply for these paid positions, several of which are hosted within the Climate Impacts Group to support a wide range of our efforts to advance climate change adaptation. Please encourage students you know to consider applying!

On a personal note, I’m approaching my one-year anniversary at the UW Climate Impacts Group! 

WA braces for another drought year as snowpack lags

Right now, Washington’s snowpack sits at the third-lowest level in the last 40 years. Only 2005 and 2015 were worse by this time of year and both years saw massive and devastating droughts. Time remains for winter weather to dump inches of snow on the region’s mountains, but the current trends aren’t bringing much optimism for the weeks ahead. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Warm winter liquidates nearly half of Washington state snowpack

The critical resource for salmon, irrigation, hydropower, and soil moisture—key to avoiding extreme wildfires— has taken a hit following the warmest December in more than a century of record keeping. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

After historic flooding, Washington residents rebuild and reckon with the future

This 3-minute newscast follows up on the December 2025 Washington floods with what recovery looks like, and how Washingtonians are assessing future flood risk. State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is interviewed.  

The West’s snowpack is in trouble this winter

Unusually low snowpack this winter is raising serious drought and water supply concerns across the western U.S. The core problem isn’t a lack of precipitation — it’s warmth. State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

Counting Every Drop: CoCoRaHS Observer Stories