About CIG

CIG Accomplishments

The Climate Impacts Group’s (CIG) research on the impacts of climate variability and change in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and the application of this information to PNW resource management has led to significant contributions to the fields of science and natural resource management. These contributions, summarized here, include the following:

Contributions to Climate Science

• Defining the Pacific Decadal Oscillation
• Evaluating the influence of climate variability on PNW climate and natural resources
• Identifying 20th century trends in PNW temperature, precipitation, and snow water equivalent
• Extending instrumental climate records for the PNW through paleoclimate research
• Evaluating the impacts of global climate change on the PNW

Contributions to Decision Support: Tools and Resource Forecasts

• Translating ENSO forecasts for use in resource management
• Climate-based long-lead streamflow forecasts
• Seasonal forecasts for coho salmon survival
• Forecasting extreme weather events
• Climate change streamflow scenarios for planning
• Climate change impacts on municipal water supplies (e.g., Vano et al. 2009, Wiley 2004, Palmer et al 2004)
• Climate change impacts on the PNW ski industry

Engaging Stakeholders

• Annual climate and streamflow forecast meetings
• Regional outreach on climate variability and change
• Climate and water policy meetings
• Drought preparedness workshop
• Workshops on the role of climate in salmon management and recovery in the PNW

Influencing Operations and Policy

• Facilitating inclusion of climate change scenarios in agency hydrologic planning tools
• Recognition of climate change impacts by the Central Puget Sound Water Initiative’s Future Water Needs Task Group (see text, report)
• Facilitating inclusion of climate impacts in Washington State watershed planning
• Contributing to recognition of climate change in Washington State water storage planning (see text, report)

Contributions to Education

• Graduate level course on climate impacts on the PNW
• Graduate level seminar on decision-making in the face of uncertainty
• Graduate level course on the role of science in environmental decision-making
• Graduate level course on integrated assessment