News | Washington State Climate Office

Jul 10, 2018 | Climate Events, Climate Matters, Flooding and Streamflow

Steep Decline in Streamflows in Washington State

The total statewide averaged precipitation for the 2018 water year to date (1 Oct through 30 June) has been about 3.6” above normal. There was a healthy snowpack on 1 April — the traditional end of winter from the snowpack perspective — with snow water equivalent (SWE) values ranging from about 136% of normal in the Upper Columbia region to 98% in the southern Puget Sound region.

Mar 8, 2017 | Climate Matters, Flooding and Streamflow, Seasonal

Springtime Floods in Eastern WA

Winter is winding down in the Pacific Northwest, which means that floods are becoming less and less likely on many of our streams. In particular, rivers draining watersheds at mostly lower elevations, especially on the west side of the state, tend to experience their greatest streamflows from fall into the middle of winter in association with heavy rains.

Nov 10, 2015 | Climate Matters, El Niño/La Niña and Global Climate Oscillations, Flooding and Streamflow

Sea Level in WA during El Niño Winters

As readers of this newsletter are aware, the tropical Pacific is currently in an El Niño state. Such conditions in the tropical Pacific have usually, but not always, been accompanied by relatively warm winters in the mean for the Pacific Northwest.

Jun 5, 2012 | Climate Matters, Flooding and Streamflow, Seasonal

High May Streamflow Conditions in WA

During May, there were numerous fatal accidents on WA Rivers that made headlines, along with a remarkable rescue. Two children died on the Chehalis River in separate incidents and an Everett City Councilman died on the Green River in a rafting accident.