Climate Impacts Group

Lawmakers must make Washington more resilient to worsening floods

High snow levels during the December floods exacerbated flooding and also contributed to our ongoing snowpack. These are the types of flood events we expect to see more often in the future. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

La Niña’s historic fury mapped and measured

The Pacific Northwest has a rainy reputation. But not like this. An onslaught of destructive weather in December has broken records, flooded rivers, forced evacuations, caused widespread power outages and dazzled meteorologists. The prolonged nature of the event and high snow levels were significant contributing factors for the flooding. State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

Harassment at The Station, Flood Info From a Climate Expert, and Cozy Weekend Recs

The hosts talk with our state climatologist to understand what we know about the link between recent atmospheric rivers and climate change. Flooding on the Skagit River was around a 1 in 25-year event, and climate change is likely to continue to lead to a higher ratio of rain to snow during precipitation events. State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger’s segment begins at timestamp 00:14:12.  

Letter from the Director – December 2025

Our hearts go out to the communities that have been affected by the devastating flooding across Washington state. Climate Impacts Group researchers have been briefing news stations on the science behind the severe weather and the likelihood of increased flooding in the future (see media mentions below). We remain committed to serving as a reliable resource on climate science and working in partnership to develop climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Building community is at the heart of our work, which is why it was a delight to see and talk with so many partners, alumni, and friends of the Climate Impacts Group at our recent 30th anniversary celebration on Dec. 

Rains help fill reservoirs, but warmer storms have put Oregon in a snowpack deficit

Following a three-year drought cycle, this August to November saw record warm temperatures for the region. Recent heavy rains have benefitted reservoir levels, especially in Washington, but a series of warm storms have led to a slow start to the snow season across Oregon and Washington. Precipitation deficits in central and southern Oregon have further limited snowpack growth. Engagement Climatologist with the Washington State Climate Office Jacob Genuise is quoted. 

Flooding is a familiar foe on the Lummi Reservation

Floodwaters cut off two of three main roads in and out of the Lummi Nation last week, prompting the Lummi Nation to declare a state of emergency. There are not enough long-term gauges available in the basin to say for certain if flooding has changed historically, but this recent flooding event and major flooding back in 2021 have renewed concerns about future flooding vulnerability along the Nooksack. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

Oregon Ski Resorts Remain Close Amid Ongoing Rain

Given all this warm rain, it actually melted some of this snowpack and we saw a decline. “Region-wide, we’re seeing snowpack that’s sitting at the lowest on record for the region as a whole, at this point in the winter.” Engagement Climatologist Jacob Genuise is quoted. 

Northwest just finished warmest fall on record, scientists report

Across the Northwest, a record warm fall and lack of snowpack going into the winter is putting more drought pressure on Oregon, Idaho, Washington and western Montana. Snowpack in the Northwest is sitting at the lowest level for the region as a whole at this point in the winter since record keeping began in 2001. Engagement Climatologist Jacob Genuise is quoted. 

Washington infrastructure begins to fail as atmospheric rivers continue pummeling the state

Most levees and dams held up during the December flooding event, but some are showing signs of stress and a few have been breached. More intense river flooding is expected in the future because rising temperatures mean more precipitation is falling as rain as opposed to snow. A warmer atmosphere also causes more intense rain. State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

NW CASC’s Research Fellowship Program: Championing Early-Career Climate Adaptation Scientists for Almost a Decade

A researcher wades into a mountain river to install a structure that creates deep, cold-water pools for sensitive fish in the heat of summer. Another hikes through remote terrain to set up trail cameras that will share secrets about where elusive, snow-dependent species are present and where they are not. Meanwhile, states away, another researcher treks into a burned forest to see what is growing back after the flames. The thread that connects these endeavors? These are Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) research fellows, conducting projects to understand how species and ecosystems are being impacted by climate change, and what can be done to help them persist in our rapidly changing world.