Climate Impacts Group

Will La Niña help produce snow in Seattle this winter?

State climatologists are eyeing historical records of recent La Niña winters in the Pacific Northwest as a clue of what might be waiting in the wings. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

How a powerful bomb cyclone ravaged the Northwest

Bomb cyclones are common enough, but rarely form as far south as this one did and gather so much strength so quickly. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

WA’s snowpack was bad last year. Could La Niña bring relief?

Meteorologists say they are expecting a climatic switch this winter to weather patterns known as La Niña. On average, that means cooler temperatures and wetter conditions, meaning better chances for snow in the Cascades. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

What does a ‘weak La Niña’ even mean? And what can Washington expect this winter?

A “wimpy La Niña” has been slated for winter 2024-25 in the Pacific Northwest, with normal temperatures, but also maybe cooler-than-normal temperatures. Emeritus Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted.  

I-5 reopens after mudslide blocks freeway in central Bellingham

A raft of mud slid onto Interstate 5 early Sunday, October 27, as rains hammered Bellingham, leading to a roughly 10-hour closure of the arterial route. Since the turn of the 21st century, there has not been an hour that has come close to the total of 1.42 inches that fell shortly before the slide. Bond is quoted. 

They came to Asheville looking for a ‘climate haven.’ Then came Hurricane Helene

Many people have moved to Asheville in recent years in search of a climate haven.

Now, Asheville is one of many places facing death and widespread destruction because of Hurricane Helene. NW CASC University Director and CIG Senior Scientist Meade Krosby is quoted. 

2024 Water Year in Review

The water year is closing out with some improvements to drought conditions thanks to rain showers and cooler weather across the state. A weak La Niña is likely to develop in late Fall. The Sept 11 Water Supply Availability Committee Meeting is embedded, in which Bumbaco presents.  

UW Climate Impacts Group contributes to new WA State Climate Resiliency Strategy

Members of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group have supported a newly released plan for state agencies to address the regional impacts of climate change, such as dwindling snowpack, rising seas, flooding and dangerous heat events like the 2021 Pacific Northwest “heat dome.”

The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative has launched a Request for Collaborators in Idaho

State lays out plan to tackle impacts of climate change in Washington

10 state agencies came together to develop a new climate response strategy for Washington… Using the latest science as a foundation, the state’s climate strategy identifies actions that agencies will take to address the top climate change threats facing Washington. Interim director Jason Vogel is quoted.