Climate Matters: Haven’t there been a lot of La Niña winters lately?
Many regular readers of this column are aware of the effects of La Niña, and variations in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in general, on the overall weather of the Pacific Northwest during the cool season.
Read moreEarly October Climate Outlook
The La Niña Watch issued by the Climate Prediction Center in August is still in effect. The “watch” means that La Niña conditions are likely to develop over the next several months, but that La Niña conditions are not currently in place.
Read moreSeptember 2025 Climate Summary
September 2025 was the warmest September on record in Washington back to at least 1979 and likely the warmest on record back to 1895*. Temperatures were +5.7°F* warmer than normal when averaged statewide.
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Join us for the PNW Water Summit
WHEN: November 4, 2025 7:30 am-4 pm PT (8:30 am to 5 pm MT)
WHERE: In person at Boise State University or Limited Virtual
Please register by October 30 to ensure an accurate catering count.
The Annual PNW Water Year Impacts Survey Is Now Live!
Happy 2026 Water Year! Now that water year 2025 is complete, we want to hear from you! How was the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) impacted?
We encourage you to fill out the PNW Water Year 2025 Impacts Survey.
September 2025 Drought and Streamflow Update
Streamflow deteriorated during September as a result of warmer than normal temperatures and a relatively slow start to the rainy season. A map of September streamflow percentiles by watershed reveals that the vast majority of watersheds are below normal or much below normal, seen in orange and brick red shading.
Read moreSeptember 2025 Notable Weather Events
September was once again a warmer than average month statewide. This was especially true across eastern Washington where prolonged warm spells with particularly warm overnight temperatures led to anomalies of around 5-8°F above normal.
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