The Pacific Northwest Climate is Rapidly Changing
Campsite at Deception Pass State Park in Washington
The Pacific Northwest is one of my favorite areas to visit. After several trips to Oregon and Washington, I’ve barely touched the surface of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Unfortunately, the Pacific Northwest climate is changing at a rapid pace…rapid enough to damage a lot of the natural areas that make the region what it is.
My last trip to the Pacific Northwest was at the end of June 2021, right when Oregon and Washington were struck by a record-breaking heatwave. I was staying in the town of Sequim, WA, which is on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula. It reached 100° F where I was staying, which was completely unexpected when the average summer temperatures are in the 60s and 70s.
Crazily enough, 100° F was cool compared to other areas in the Pacific Northwest, some of which were over 110 °. The heatwave caused power blackouts throughout the Olympic Peninsula, and we were without power for almost a day.
If this were an isolated incident, I wouldn’t be worried. But it wasn’t. Throughout the summer of 2021, the Pacific Northwest continued to endure abnormally high temperatures.
The sad truth is that the Pacific Northwest is getting hotter and hotter due to climate change. According to Oregon’s state climatologist, “the number of extreme heat days has doubled in less than a century.” The Pacific Northwest climate is changing at a rapid pace. Glaciers that used to stay frozen all year round are melting. The hot, dry weather is making the land more susceptible to wildfires. The rainforests are drying out…including the beautiful Hoh Rainforest that is definitely one of my favorite forests.
So, if you get the chance…go visit the Pacific Northwest now and enjoy the coast, forests, and mountains.
1. Explore the coastline
Ruby Beach, Washington
If you like sunsets and beaches, the Pacific Northwest is the place to be. There are lots of beaches with great sunset views. Ruby Beach is one of the most popular…you’ll see photographers lined up at sunset, leaning over their tripods to capture the perfect shot.
During the day time, you can explore the tidal pools and sand dunes. A quick look at a tide chart online, and you can time it so that you get to a rocky stretch of the coast at low tide. The tidal pools are usually full of starfish, sea anemones, sea urchins, and other interesting marine life.
If sand is more your thing…there are plenty of sandy beaches as well. For a whopping dose of sand dunes, head over to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
You aren’t limited to the ocean either. You can explore the shores of the Puget Sound for a completely different experience.
2. Hike the forests
Maybe hiking isn’t your thing, but there are simply too many beautiful forests in the Pacific Northwest to skip. My favorite is the Hoh Rainforest on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where I’ve hiked several times.
The Hoh Rainforest is the wettest forest in the state, and it shows. The old-growth trees are all draped in moss, turning the woods into a scene from a fairytale. As if that isn’t enough, the icy blue-green Hoh River flows through the rainforest. Rising in the distance you can see Mt. Olympus, where the Hoh River originates from glaciers on the mountain.
The glacier water flowing through the rainforest is still very clean, and there are lots of small springs and creeks that thread through the woods. I’m not advising anyone to drink water from a creek…but if you were, it doesn’t get much cleaner than in the Hoh. I mean, I’m still alive!
3. Climb the mountains
Hurricane Ridge, Washington
If you love mountains, Oregon and Washington are the place to be!
The Cascade Range and Olympic mountains are both stunningly beautiful. Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic mountain range offers some beautiful views of the northern Olympic Peninsula coast and the southern coast of Vancouver Island. If you ever hike the grueling trail to the top of Smith Rock in Oregon, the view of the Cascades is worth it. Be sure to add Crater Lake to your list as well! The lake is so vividly blue that it’s hard to believe that it’s real.
Really, once you get to the Pacific Northwest there are mountains all over the place, so just take your pick.
If you are ready to start planning your Pacific Northwest trip, head over to my simple guide to planning a road trip. Trust me, you won’t run out of things to do or see.
Note: A variation of this blog post was first published on my Medium profile.
