We defined the region of the PNW as the entire Columbia Watershed and focused on the relationships between ENSO variability, precipitation, temperature, and snowpack. Temperature is strongly correlated with ENSO in the PNW and temperature predicts to snowpack. There are many others. At minimum, they would like a forecast for a range of expected climate conditions. The runoff forecast is their critical management tool, therefore temperature and precipitation are the most important variables.
Most agencies operate on the basis of historical data, i.e., ca.
They need to understand what is normal in the PNW and how to predict and understand regime shifts. Part of the evaluation will assess the prospects for a more holistic approach. Changes in and upgrades of climate information systems in the context of understanding which players are sensitive and vulnerable to climate variability. Implications for the PNW's ability to adapt to human-induced climate change that may result from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Human activities in fact provide part of the context into which climate variability is introduced.