The function of the State Climatologist is to collect, disseminate, and interpret climate data. This web site provides links to sources of climate data and seasonal forecasts for the state of Washington. Most data on the site are available for free; a charge may apply for additional data or interpretation, or for testimony in a legal case.

The Office of Washington State Climatologist (OWSC) is called by the State of Washington to serve as a credible and expert source of climate and weather information for state and local decision makers and agencies working on drought, flooding, climate change, and other related issues. When interpreting climate information or analysis, OWSC will rely foremost on peer-reviewed literature and on best practices, sometimes consulting with other experts as needed, and is willing to revise public statements in light of solid new analysis or information. Our on-going goal is to provide information to the public that is reliable and meets the highest quality standards.

6/12/2008:

Why has the weather been so cool?

6/3/2008:

Washington joins the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network!

4/22/2008:

The April edition of the OWSC newsletter is available for download.
Topics include:
- CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) coming to Washington
- Rain the Reason for Vista's Woes?
- Record cold in March and early April
- Current mountain snowpack and summer water outlook
- Early summer seasonal outlook

It has been a little over a year since we released the first issue of the newsletter and we are interested in your feedback. Please take a few minutes to answer the questions on our short survey. If you fill out the survey and choose to participate, you will have a chance of receiving 1 CoCoRaHS rain gauge and 1 of 5 OWSC mugs we will be giving out.

3/4/2008:

All N.W. Temperature, Precipitation, & SWE Trend Analysis data has been updated through 2006 and the February newsletter is now available for download.

2/13/2008:

Our report on the Chehalis December flood event

2/8/2008:

2007-'08 Historical Winter Snow in the Cascades and Eastern Washington

Outlook updated

12/10/2007:

Information regarding December 1-3, 2007 intense rainfall and record flooding around western Washington has been posted. There is also additional information regarding the windstorm from this period and the windstorm in October listed on Climate Events page.

Climate Inventory Maps - Find climate and weather data from various weather station networks throughout the state.

N.W. Temperature, Precipitation, & SWE Trend Analysis - Use the Google Maps interface to plot stations represented by circles, which are scaled and color coded based on trend. Click on a station or circle to view the corresponding graph.

Precipitation Rankings - Rank annual, water year, and seasonal precipitation totals for various WA cities.

MODIS Cloud Fraction - Using MODIS satellite observations, generate Washington maps of monthly cloud fraction.

Streamflow Station Map - Ecology and USGS Washington streamflow station map.

NCDC Data File Cleanup Utility - Remove unnecessary items from NCDC daily and monthly datasets.

2006 State Tour Pictures - Pictures of various COOP and USHCN weather stations around southwest Washington.