Larry O'Neill
@larryoneill.bsky.social
I specialize in air-sea interactions, observations of weather, ocean, and climate, and science outreach and engagement. Associate Professor at Oregon State Univ. State Climatologist of Oregon. Director, Oregon Climate Service. @occri.bsky.social
☀️ Portland summers are getting hotter! Those at high risk include older adults (especially men over 50 living alone), outdoor workers, pregnant people, and those without AC, to name a few. Make a plan to stay cool! Find cooling spaces near you at: link.multco.us/interactive-map-cool-spaces
Great news everyone -- NSF has announced a halt to dismantling OOI and will plan to redeploy the Endurance Array off the Oregon/Washington coast. www.nsf.gov/news/update-...
Update on Ocean Observatories Initiative
The U.S. National Science Foundation appreciates the concerns raised by the range of stakeholders that have informed us they rely on data from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). Effective…
nsf.gov
We issued a statewide drought declaration back in April and we get it — it can feel a little weird to talk about drought after a rainy winter. So, we’re answering your most-asked questions about drought, snowpack, and reservoirs 💬 let’s get into it!
For those folks following the OOI drama, a bipartisan group of senators have taken an important stance to protect it. For those who haven't, the administration recently provided an order to dismantle much of our coastal ocean observing system. www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-murk...
Merkley, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect U.S. Ocean Monitoring Systems - Merkley
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led a bipartisan group of Senators to demand the National Science Foundation (NSF) halt its plans to dismantle the...
merkley.senate.gov
Our excellent colleagues at Columbia Land Trust (www.columbialandtrust.org) seek a new executive director. Apply by 6 July. Details at potrerogroup.com/clt.
Land Conservation in Washington & Oregon | Columbia Land Trust
Columbia Land Trust protects and cares for for the land and waters of Oregon & Washington through conservation and restoration.
columbialandtrust.org
Well, learning that the May 25 update to the Zotero Connector for google docs is a piece of crap right before a large multi-institutional proposal is due is a piece of crap.
In addition to Oregon having a historically low snowpack, it has also had one of the driest 12 month periods on its record. Since last April, Oregon has recorded its 5th lowest amount of precipitation received since 1895.
‼️The 2025 PNW Water Year Impacts Assessment is here Last year, a warm and dry spring led to rapid snowmelt and low summer streamflows prompting drought emergencies in ID, OR, and WA. Explore regional impacts on water resources, agriculture, forests, and more. 🔗 www.drought.gov/documents/pa...
Willamette Pass in Oregon is still very warm and nearly snow-free. The snowpack is typically holding the most water this time of year. This will be an important year to assess how human and natural systems cope given that this situation will occur much more frequently in the coming decades.
Larry O'Neill@larryoneill.bsky.social · 5mo agoThe Willamette Pass in Oregon, at about 5100ft, is usually under about 10 feet of snow this time of year. Today, it is virtually snow free with a temperature of 61°F.
The Willamette Pass in Oregon, at about 5100ft, is usually under about 10 feet of snow this time of year. Today, it is virtually snow free with a temperature of 61°F.
Eugene, Oregon, is at 77°F as of about 2pm. Its record March high temperature of 78°F (tied this past Monday in fact) seems likely to fall over the next 2 hours.
Very much not typical for March: for the second straight day, La Pine, Oregon, experienced temperatures into the mid-70's, relative humidities near 10%, and gusts into the 20's. This winter has also been mildly dry in the region. They'll get a couple more days of this. #orwx
Josh Cozart@joshcozartwx.bsky.social · 5mo agoA rare March wildfire has prompted "Level 3: Go NOW!" evacuations for parts of the La Pine, OR area Tuesday. Details: www.koin.com/news/wildfir... @koin6.bsky.social #Oregon
Update: As of about 5pm, Eugene, Oregon has tied its all-time March temperature record of 78°F. Up the hill at Willamette Pass (at 5000ft elevation), it's 62°F.
Larry O'Neill@larryoneill.bsky.social · 5mo agoEugene, OR, broke its daily record temperature today! Currently 77°F and within 1° of its March record of 78°F. Forecast for today was just 71°F.
Eugene, OR, broke its daily record temperature today! Currently 77°F and within 1° of its March record of 78°F. Forecast for today was just 71°F.
This is a great example of how climatology is no longer as useful of a guide for evaluating forecasts in a non-stationary climate. 20 years ago, this forecast would have been dismissed.
Climatologist49@climatologist49.bsky.social · 5mo agoThe Arizona March monthly temperature record is 104F set at two stations in 2004. The National Blend of Models (NMB) has several places exceeding that value in 7-10 days.
This winter, Oregon tied 1934 as its warmest winter on record based on preliminary data. With this being a La Nina winter, this was not expected to occur. #orwx
Averaged for the state of Oregon, the snowpack is off to it worst start since at least 1981. For those thinking 1977 was worse than this year, turns out it wasn't (based on monthly snow course observations). Seems bad.
Is "regular winter weather" and a reprieve from snow drought in Oregon's future? State climatologist @larryoneill.bsky.social says there's a distinct possibility. www.opb.org/article/2026...
Oregon’s on track to break low snowpack records, but there’s still hope for snow
Oregon is experiencing its lowest snowpack for this time of year. But that could change, as mountain areas are expecting snowfall this weekend, and low-lying valleys might see snow later this month.
opb.org
Oregon has never had such a small amount of snow, on this date, as it has now statewide. But that could change in a big way beginning this coming weekend, as a forecasted pattern shift brings cooler and wetter conditions: tinyurl.com/4y5bc36v
I was invited to review a manuscript at about 1:30am last night and 3 minutes later received a second email saying I had taken too long to respond and that the invitation was cancelled. 🤷
Heads up Eugene, Oregon: I was just down on Amazon Creek near west 11th and it's getting fairly close to topping its banks. I have never seen it so high since about 2012. This image was near west 11th and City View. Moderate rain is expected to continue for the next 4-6 hours or so.
The Willamette Valley in Oregon may be on the verge of a significant flood event as the atmospheric river has stalled over northwest Oregon. Salem already has 2.10" today and is likely to challenge its top 10 daily precipitation total all time.
Already 61F in Eugene Oregon at noon. This is tied for 40th warmest Dec day since 1938. Today's record is 64F and the all-time December record is 68F. This follows from November being the warmest Nov on record for Oregon since records began in 1895.
The Emigrant Fire in the central Oregon Cascades has burned over 6000 acres at this point in an area that has received record or near-record low precipitation since April 1st this year (based on 45 years of data), as shown by nearby SNOTEL stations.
The Emigrant Fire in the central Oregon Cascades is unfortunately growing rapidly and is now sprouting a broad pyrocumulus cloud, as seen from the Univ of Oregon Wildfire camera placed on Peak 2 of Willamette Pass ski resort.
Just had a helicopter with a water bucket fly over my house in south Eugene (Oregon), very likely out to the new fire just east of Oakridge.
New report finds @oregonstate.edu has $3.5 billion in economic impact on Oregon's economy: beav.es/Nrm
$3.5 billion in Oregon State economic impact builds regional economy | Newsroom
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University research is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, providing $797.5 million in value and 3,300 jobs annually, according to an economic impact repor...
beav.es
