News | Washington State Climate Office

Apr 11, 2011 | Climate Events

A Wet Spring

You’re not imagining it – spring has been gloomier than normal this year around WA. Not only has it been relatively cool across the state, but most locations have been wetter than normal as well.

Apr 11, 2011 | Climate Events

During the autumn of 2010, there was considerable media interest in anticipation of the forthcoming winter being cold and wet in WA as a result of the relatively strong La Niña in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Jan 27, 2011 | Climate Events

Mid-Winter La Niña Update

The La Niña winter is now halfway over, and with the recent mild temperatures experienced around the state this January, it is a good time to evaluate how this winter is shaping up.

Oct 26, 2010 | Climate Events

Lowland Snow and ENSO Relationship

The relationship between the phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and WA climate is well documented, as has been discussed frequently in our monthly newsletters (most specific: October 2010). In general, La Niña conditions tilt the odds towards a wetter than normal WA fall and a colder than normal WA winter.

May 15, 2010 | Climate Events

A Review of Winter 2009-2010

The winter of 09-10 was anticipated to be warmer and drier than normal in the Pacific Northwest due to the expected development of a moderate El Niño. Did that actually happen?

Jan 15, 2010 | Climate Events

Monitoring Precipitation near the Howard Hanson Dam 2010

As you are probably aware, the heavy rainfall in January 2009 damaged the Howard Hanson Dam (located on the Green River in King County). For more background information, please see our 2010 Water Year monitoring page.

Oct 5, 2009 | Climate Events

Dry Conditions in North Central WA

This year’s summer was warm and dry throughout the state. According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the mean temperature for June-July-August averaged over the entire state was 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit, ranking as the 8th warmest in 115 years (Figure 1).

Aug 3, 2009 | Climate Events

July 2009 Heat Wave

Parts of Washington, and in particular western WA, felt the heat during the last week of July. A heat wave gripped the state on Monday, July 27 and lasted through Thursday, July 30.

Jul 5, 2009 | Climate Events

Drought-like Conditions in Western WA

June has been remarkably dry in western WA (see Table 1), and the record for dry consecutive days in May and June was tied at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac AP) with 29 days this year from May 20-June 17.

Feb 1, 2009 | Climate Events

Warm January Temperatures

Did you leave your jacket at home for a majority of the month? Felt like perhaps we skipped winter this season? Noticed buds on trees? If so, you’re not alone! January was remarkably warm across the state.