AVERY COOPER: In Washington state, climate change is expected to bring lower stream flows, warmer winter temperatures and less snowpack in lower elevations. That’s according to a presentation from the state’s climatologist. [N-W-P-B’s senior environmental correspondent Courtney Flatt has more.]

COURTNEY FLATT: It’s not often that you get a peek into the future. But climate scientists say Washington state glimpsed into the crystal ball in 20-15 … with its lowest snowpack on record. 

Guillaume Mauger is Washington’s state climatologist. At the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s August meeting, he said the conditions in 20-15 led to hundreds of thousands of fewer sockeye. Major crops with poor yields. And millions spent on fire suppression.

MAUGER: “ From a weather nerd perspective, it was something I never expected to see in my lifetime.” (0:04)

FLATT: Mauger says he expects those conditions to be normal by the 20-70s or 20-80s. 

This year, he says it’s highly likely the region will experience a “very strong” El Niño. Mauger says there isn’t much data for this strong of an El Niño. But in  the Northwest, El Niños often mean higher winter temperatures and less snow fall.

I’m Courtney Flatt.