Climate Matters | Washington State Climate Office

Jan 6, 2016 | Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation Patterns, Climate Matters, El Niño/La Niña and Global Climate Oscillations

Early Winter Weather for WA during El Niño

We return to the topic of El Niño and what it means for WA. Perhaps this constitutes an obsession, for which we make no excuses. The extremely wet month of December 2015 serves as motivation.

Dec 4, 2015 | Climate Change Report, Climate Matters

A New Synthesis Report on Climate Change in the Puget Sound

A new state of the knowledge report from the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group on climate change in the Puget Sound region was released in November (Mauger et al. 2015).

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.

Oct 6, 2015 | Climate Events, Climate Matters, Extreme Heat, Seasonal

Summer in Review: Increased Number of Hot Days

2015 has so far been much warmer than normal for Washington State, with January through August ranking as the warmest on record. The summer (defined as June through August) was also warm and set records as the warmest summer for the state, with temperatures 4.5°F above the 30-yr (1981-2010) normal when averaged statewide (Fig.

Sep 27, 2015 | Air Quality and Wildfire, Climate Events, Climate Matters

The Yacolt Burn of 1902

This summer has included the largest fire (the Okanogan Complex) in WA state history and the most acres burned since at least 2002. The vast majority of wildfires in WA occur east of the Cascade Range crest but that is not the only part of state that can face a serious threat.

Aug 7, 2015 | Climate Matters, Extreme Heat, Humidity, Temperature, Trends

Minimum Temperatures on the Increase in Summer

OWSC is receiving a large number of inquiries about the hot weather this summer and whether it is due to global climate change. The short answer is no, and the recent weather should be thought of as a short-term climate event.

Jul 7, 2015 | Climate Events, Climate Matters, Climate Review, Extreme Heat

The Warm Month of July 1985 for Washington State

This month represents the 30th anniversary of the hottest month on record for WA state – July 1985 – in the last 100 years. In recognition of the relatively warm temperatures that have prevailed in this neck of the woods during the last couple of years or so as well as the record warm June 2015 temperatures, it seems appropriate to review the weather of July 1985.

Jun 5, 2015 | Climate Matters, Climate Review, Drought and Soil Conditions

Three Flavors of Drought in the PNW

With the topic of drought the focus of numerous local and national news stories of late – whether it’s the current Pacific Northwest (PNW) drought, the devastating multiyear California drought, or the torrential, drought-ending rains in Oklahoma and Texas – it is a good time to review a paper published in 2010 by current and former OWSC staff on different “flavors” of drought in the PNW.

May 6, 2015 | Climate Matters, Rain and Snow

Extreme Precipitation Events in Washington State during the month of May

One year ago (May 2014), this newsletter included a piece on the historical record of extreme short-term precipitation events in Washington state, with a focus on whether there were any noticeable trends in the frequency and intensity of these event.

Mar 4, 2015 | Climate Matters, Rain and Snow

March Snowfall in the Lowlands of Washington State

The subject of this piece may be cruelly ironic, given the lack of much cold weather and snow during this winter. On the other hand, perhaps some of the material here will represent a sort of comfort somewhat akin to that sought by fans of the Chicago Cubs.