October 2025 Drought and Streamflow Update
On October 6, following near-record warm and dry conditions and three years of declared drought in the Yakima Basin, the Department of Ecology issued a complete halt of surface water use in the Yakima Basin.
Read moreOctober Notable Weather Events
The month kicked off with a decent rain event across western Washington followed quickly by a late-season warm spell from October 6-10. This warm spell brought what were very likely the last 70°F days of the year for most, if not all, locations across the state.
Read moreMid October Climate Outlook
What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Wetter than normal conditions most likely November through January.
The Climate Prediction Center’s monthly outlook for November 2025 brings continued uncertainty in temperatures, although most of the western and south central United States are likely to be above normal.
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
A La Niña Advisory was issued by the Climate Prediction Center on October 9 indicating that La Niña conditions are currently in place. La Niña conditions are the most likely scenario now through December-January-February.
Read moreSeptember 2025 Climate Summary
September 2025 was the warmest September on record in Washington back to 1895. Temperatures were +5.2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal when averaged statewide. Much warmer than normal temperatures observed across the eastern slopes of the Cascades and across much of eastern Washington.
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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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