In the News
2015 Another Tough Year for Northwest Climate
While much of the center of the country is expected to be wetter than normal from June through August, how wet Washington will be is still a coin toss, says Washington state climatologist Nick Bond.
UW Researcher Finds Warm Water ‘Blob’ in Pacific Ocean, Links to Unusual West Coast Climate
Oceans and atmospheres go through regular fluctuations, but a ‘blob’ of warm water in the Pacific Ocean was created by exceptionally large atmospheric changes, both of which have caused the climate on the West Coast to be rather unusual in recent years.
Whys, Wherefores of California's Nagging Drought
In-depth video offers expert voices on what lies behind historic drought across California and on impacts ahead. California is prone to droughts, and the historic record points to numerous long and severe dry spells.
The Blob: Warm Pacific Water Threatens Ecosystem, May Intensify Drought
Marine life seen swimming in unusual places. Water temperatures warmer than they should be. No snow where there should be feet of it.
How 'the blob' Caused USA's Weird Weather
A strange, persistent "blob" of very warm water off the U.S. West Coast is now linked to the recent winters that brought extreme heat and drought to the West, and record snow and cold to much of the East, according to two studies.