Washington State Climate Office |

Washington State Climate Office

Reliable climate information for a resilient Washington State

We support communities and decision-makers across the state with training, resources, and research on climate in Washington.

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News and Events

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Sep 10, 2026 | Climate Outlook, September 2026 Newsletter

Early September Climate Outlook

Key Messages:

El Niño continues to intensify in the tropical Pacific.

We are virtually guaranteed to have a very strong El Niño continue through this winter. Read a more detailed write up of possible impacts in our Climate Matters piece.

Sep 10, 2026 | Drought and Streamflow Update, September 2026 Newsletter

September 2026 Drought and Streamflow Update

Key Messages:

Streamflows in mountain basins continue to run below to extremely below normal. Some stations in the Olympics and western Cascades have seen temporary boosts in streamflow thanks to beneficial rainfall in early September.

Sep 30, 2026 | Announcements

Upcoming Webinar: What Causes Drought in Washington and How You Can Get Involved

When: Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026, 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: Online (Zoom) Use the link below to register.
Accessibility Contact: cig@uw.edu
Washington is experiencing multi-year drought conditions that continue to impact water supplies, agriculture, fish and wildlife, and communities across the state.

Climate Matters

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Sep 10, 2026 | Climate Matters, Climate Variability, El Niño/La Niña and Global Climate Oscillations, September 2026 Newsletter

Climate Matters: How Might El Niño Affect Washington This Winter?

The past week’s cooler and wetter weather comes as a stark reminder that summer has begun to make room for fall here in the Pacific Northwest. With this seasonal shift, some of us are beginning to turn our attention to the upcoming winter, as a strong and potentially historic El Niño event continues to intensify in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Statewide Conditions

+1.3°F

Temperature

August 2026 Departure from 1991-2020 Normal

51%

Precipitation

August 2026 Percent of 1991-2020 Normal

Washington State Climate Office