Climate Matters | Washington State Climate Office

Aug 3, 2012 | Air Quality and Wildfire, Climate Matters, Seasonal

Hot Summer Weather and Low-level Ozone Concentrations

Ozone (O3) is an important pollutant in many regions, especially during summer months, and Washington State is no exception. While O3 is beneficial in the upper-atmosphere through its absorption of damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it is harmful near the surface.

Jul 3, 2012 | Climate Matters, Rain and Snow, Seasonal, Temperature

Weather in WA State on the 4th of July

There is the common impression that the weather on the 4th of July is generally crummy, at least on the west side of Washington State. Here we take the opportunity to critically examine that perception, and to compare the climatology of that day on the west versus east side of the Cascade Mountains.

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.

May 4, 2012 | Climate Matters, Rain and Snow

WA Pollen Counts versus Rainfall

The spring pollen season appears to have started rather late this year, at least in western Washington. From a personal perspective, I usually start exhibiting symptoms in about the middle of March, apparently due to an allergy to birch and alder pollen, but this year it happened noticeably later.

Mar 5, 2012 | Climate Matters, Ecology

Plant Hardiness Zones for WA State

The US Department of Agriculture has recently posted new plant hardiness information; a map for WA state is reproduced here (Figure 1) and can be found at the following website: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/.

Feb 3, 2012 | Climate Events, Climate Matters, Extreme Cold, Rain and Snow

The Western WA Snow and Ice Event of January 2012

The period of 14-19 January 2012 featured some heavy snowfall, and significant freezing rain, in the lowlands of western Washington. An overview of the meteorology behind this event, snowfall totals, and some of the local impacts of the week of wintry weather will be explored in this newsletter highlight.

Jan 5, 2012 | Climate Matters, Extreme Cold, Rain and Snow

January 1950: A Remarkable Month for the PNW

The month of January 1950 is legendary in terms of the weather in the northwestern US. It is the coldest month on record for Washington State, with the mean of 14.5 degrees F amounting to almost 16 °F colder than the average January for the period of 1910 through 2009.

Dec 5, 2011 | Climate Matters, Rain and Snow, Seasonal

What is the Chance of a White Christmas?

Many WA residents feel the same as Bing Crosby, our native son crooner who incidentally was born in Tacoma and raised in Spokane, and dream of a white Christmas. Others are not so keen on the idea, with memories of the treacherous streets and roads across most of Washington State during the holiday season of 2008.

Nov 4, 2011 | Climate Matters, Extreme Cold, Rain and Snow, Seasonal

The Timing of Seasonal Closures of Mountain Passes in WA State

Storms are beginning to roll into the Pacific Northwest more or less on cue with the usual start to the wet season. But when is it liable to cool down enough for snow in the high country and hence winter recreation?

Oct 4, 2011 | Climate Matters, El Niño/La Niña and Global Climate Oscillations

Back-to-Back La Niña and the Weather of the PNW

There are increasing indications that La Niña conditions will be present in the tropical Pacific during the upcoming winter. As most of the readers of this newsletter are aware, this is right on the heels of a La Niña event during the previous winter and spring of 2010-11.