KEY POINTS
- Climate change affects the region in different ways due to the large geographic area that spans different climates.
- Temperatures have warmed by 2-3° F since 1900 throughout the region.
- More precipitation is now falling as rain instead of snow, which is reducing snowpack in much of the region.
- Extreme events like droughts, floods, wildfires, and heat waves are occurring more often.
- Glaciers are melting, permafrost thaw is increasing, and breakup of river and sea ice is occurring earlier in the year.
Full article available here: Climate Change of the Pacific Northwest: United States Department of Agriculture
In late 2023, heavy rains caused by an atmospheric river led to high water and roadside debris near the Necanicum River Crossing U.S. 101, Oregon. Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation.