Description: A wildfire likelihood value of 0.50 means that there is a 50% chance that any year in that time period will have climate and fuel conditions that are favorable for wildfire. The likelihood of wildfire is simulated using a fire process model. An increased likelihood of climate and fuel conditions conducive to wildfire indicates greater potential for wildfire danger to damage infrastructure, interrupt businesses, and affect public health and well-being. Darker represent larger probabilities of wildfire conditions. Values shown are the median of multiple climate model projections. Much of the increased likelihood for wildfire is in eastern Washington, with only slight changes in western Washington. Potential Impacts ··· Cultural Resources and Practices: more frequent wildfires have the potential to damage cultural and historical sites, buildings, and cultural resources. More frequent wildfires can also reduce access to culturally important sites and resources for Northwest Tribes. Economic Development: More frequent wildfires are expected to affect businesses and economic development through more interruptions and closures of businesses and recreation areas due to wildfires and poor air quality. More wildfire could lead to higher insurance premiums or more difficulty insuring properties. Ecosystems: More frequent wildfires have the potential to reduce timber, non-timber forest products, carbon storage, and forest habitat for some wildlife. Wildfires also increase establishment of invasive species. More frequent wildfires have the potential to increase runoff and sediment to streams, which can reduce aquatic habitat quality. Emergency Management: more frequent wildfires will require more response from emergency management services, increasing demand on resources and costs. Built Environment and Energy: More frequent wildfires have the potential to affect energy transmission by damaging infrastructure and interrupting transmission and distribution. More frequent wildfires are expected to cause property damage and loss. Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke could increase demand for air filtration systems in buildings. Transportation: more frequent wildfires, and related smoke, can disrupt travel, increase road closures and delay construction projects. Wildfire smoke has the potential to affect labor in the transportation sector because of health effects on outdoor laborers. More roadside brush fires can create safety hazards and disrupt transportation. Waste Management: More frequent wildfires have the potential to generate greater amounts of debris and waste. More waste will strain municipal cleanup and refuse capacity. Water Resources: More frequent wildfires have the potential to damage water distribution infrastructure and reduce water quality in reservoirs due to more runoff, erosion, and turbidity. Changes in water quality could increase the need for water treatment and filtration. Zoning: More frequent wildfires are expected to increase damage to homes and infrastructure and displace residents.
Copyright Text: Raymond, C., M. Rogers, 2022. Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington. Prepared by the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle and Research Data & Computing Services, University of Idaho, Moscow.
Description: A heavy precipitation day is the maximum daily precipitation that occurs with the 25-year storm, or on average once every twenty-five years. For example, a location with a value of 15% is expected to experience an increase in the total precipitation of the 25-year storm of 15%. Extreme precipitation is an indicator of flooding that can affect infrastructure and operations. Darker shaded areas represent an increase in precipitation and lighter areas are a decrease. Values shown are the median of multiple climate model projections. Potential Impacts ··· Agriculture and Food Systems: Heavier precipitation is expected to intensify flooding and inundation of agricultural lands, which can delay spring planting, affect crop quality and quantity, increase erosion and runoff, and increase susceptibility to root diseases. Economic Development: Heavier precipitation is expected to intensify flooding in low-lying areas and require higher capacity storm water drainage systems. Transportation: Heavier precipitation events are expected to intensify flooding, landslides, and erosion, which can interrupt transportation routes, damage infrastructure, and increase maintenance and repair costs. Zoning: Heavier precipitation events are expected to intensify urban flooding and demands on storm water systems, which can affect zoning restrictions on new buildings, and require revised building codes for development in more frequently flooded areas.
Copyright Text: Raymond, C., M. Rogers, 2022. Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington. Prepared by the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle and Research Data & Computing Services, University of Idaho, Moscow.
Description: The map shows the change in annual 90°F maximum humidex days, or the average number of days in a year with a maximum humidex greater than 90°F in a 30-year period compared to the 1980-2009 average. The humidex is a measure of experienced heat conditions, and takes into consideration both temperature and humidity. The change in the number of 90°F maximum humidex days is an indicator of stress on public health. Darker reds show larger increases in the number of 90°F maximum humidex days. Values shown are the median of multiple climate model projections. Lower elevation areas across Washington are expected to see increases in the number of annual 90°F maximum humidex days. Potential Impacts ··· Emergency Management: More frequent extreme daytime heat events are expected to increase the demand for emergency services to plan, prepare, and respond to human health impacts. Extreme heat may also impact emergency services due to transportation and travel disruptions such as warped and buckling pavement on roads. Health and Well-being An increase in the number of days with a maximum humidex above 90°F is expected to increase heat-related deaths, illness, and hospitalizations.
Service Item Id: 8ad33bcb2f1e4f70893cb0771becf168
Copyright Text: Raymond, C., M. Rogers, 2022. Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington. Prepared by the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle and Research Data & Computing Services, University of Idaho, Moscow.
Description: April 1st snowpack is used as an indicator for the amount of stored water that becomes available during the melt season. A decrease in April 1st snowpack indicates that less stored water will be available to supply streams, soil, and reservoirs during the melt season. Brown areas represent a decrease in future snowpack. Values shown are the median of multiple climate model projections. A widespread decrease in April 1st snowpack is expected across Washington, with larger decreases at lower elevations of the Olympic and Cascade mountains. Potential Impacts ··· Economic Development: Reductions in snowpack are expected to decrease opportunities for winter outdoor recreation and shorten the winter recreation season, with adverse effects on the economy and character of some communities. Warm season outdoor recreation opportunities may increase, shifting tourism from one recreation sector to another and into different seasons. Transportation: Reductions in snowpack have the potential to reduce snow-related road maintenance, road closures, and transportation delays. However, as more cold-season precipitation falls as rain rather than snow, transportation routes in mountainous areas may experience more damage from heavier winter rainfall and associated flooding, erosion, and washouts. Water Resources: Reduced snowpack and more winter rain is expected to increase water availability in winter for multiple uses including drinking water and hydropower generation, and decrease water availability in late spring and summer when demand is also expected to increase. Zoning: Reductions in snowpack are expected to decrease opportunities for winter outdoor recreation and shorten the winter recreation season with adverse effects on the economy and character of some communities. Warm season outdoor recreation opportunities are expected to increase, shifting tourism revenue from one recreation sector to another.
Copyright Text: Raymond, C., M. Rogers, 2022. Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington. Prepared by the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle and Research Data & Computing Services, University of Idaho, Moscow.