Center for Science in the Earth System

The Center for Science in the Earth System (CSES), part of the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) at the University of Washington, performs integrated research on the impacts of climate on the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) by combining and integrating expertise in climate dynamics, ecological dynamics, hydrologic dynamics, and institutional and policy analysis. The CSES also researches the application of climate information in regional decision-making processes in support of the regional aspects of an eventual Climate Service. The CSES is comprised of two groups: the Climate Impacts Group and the Office of the Washington State Climatologist.

The Climate Impacts Group

The Climate Impacts Group (CIG), a NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessment team, is an interdisciplinary research group studying the impacts of natural climate variability and global climate change (“global warming”) on the PNW. The CIG performs fundamental research aimed at understanding the consequences of climate fluctuations for the PNW and works with PNW planners and policy makers to bring this information into regional decision-making processes.

The Office of the Washington State Climatologist

The Office of the Washington State Climatologist (OWSC) collects, disseminates, and interprets climate data for the state of Washington. The office is funded by the JISAO Center for Science in the Earth System and the Washington State Department of Ecology.