Climate Impacts Group

Northwest floods offer sneak peek of hotter climate’s toll

Climate scientists say December’s back-to-back atmospheric rivers and extreme flooding offer a sneak peek into our warmer future. Although they can bring beneficial precipitation, climate scientists expect them to grow more powerful, arrive more frequently, and last longer as Earth’s climate keeps warming. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger and Director of the Northwest CASC Meade Krosby are quoted.  

This week’s atmospheric river could be among longest on record

An atmospheric river is tearing through Western Washington this week, dumping massive quantities of water and flooding some areas in the region. If you feel like these climatological phenomena are hitting harder when they make landfall, you’re not alone. Some scientists think so too and figure our warming atmosphere and oceans might be at least partially to blame. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

‘GO NOW’ ordered for all of Skagit floodplain ahead of historic flood

This atmospheric river not only presents a slew of immediate dangers, but it underscores a growing risk for our region. Major floods are becoming more severe and expected to hit more frequently. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is mentioned. 

Is the Pacific Northwest ready for a wave of climate migration?

KUOW heard from more than a dozen families that said climate change was a driving factor in their decision to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. Climate migration is difficult to study, and even harder to predict, because a complex constellation of factors guides the decision to pick up and move. A literature review from the Climate Impacts Group is mentioned. 

Blend of unusual weather conditions brings trillions of gallons in persistent rain to the Northwest

A two-part atmospheric river event delivered nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain over western Washington in the past week, creating major flood conditions throughout the region. The origins of the atmospheric river can be traced across the Pacific ocean just north of Hawaii, where above-normal air and sea surface temperatures likely helped transport an especially large volume of precipitation to Washington. The rains have led to forecasts of record-setting flooding, particularly on the Skagit River. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

Western Washington faces ‘catastrophic’ flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain

The atmospheric river event that led to severe flooding in western Washington is an example of the kinds of storms we may be able to expect in an increasingly warm and wet future. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

WA snow country: What’s new in winter 2025

Snowpack is at historic lows across the state, but this does not necessarily mean we will end up with poor snowpack this year. There is still a good chunk of winter left, and a weak La Nina could help out snowpack later this winter. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

Can We Predict Wildfires?

Drier, longer, and hotter summers are leading to increased fire risk across the Pacific Northwest, and new tools are being created to assess risk and map wildfire in real-time. Emeritus State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted.  

Celebrating 30 years of turning WA climate science into action (Public News Service)

Celebrating 30 years of turning WA climate science into action

For 30 years, the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group has worked with partners across the Northwest to support science-backed strategies to promote climate resilience. Director Susan Dickerson-Lange is quoted.