Scientists explore whether to add a "Category 6" designation for hurricanes Climate change is making powerful hurricanes more common. That may require adding a new official designation for the more intense storms, a new study suggests. Rebecca Hersher
Largest proposed wind farm in WA slashed in half, firefighting issues are part of the problem A controversial wind farm that was set to be the largest in Washington has been slashed nearly in half. The project developer said the new restrictions could be bad for renewable energy development around the state. Courtney Flatt
Seattle just had the warmest week in January on record Highs hit 60 Sunday and persisted through Wednesday, a phenomenon that's never been recorded in the area since record-keeping began in 1945. Katie Campbell
Need to track animals around the world? Tap into the 'spider-verse,' scientists say Spiderwebs can capture environmental DNA, or eDNA, from vertebrate animals in their area, potentially making them a useful tool in animal monitoring, tracking and conservation. Ari Daniel
'Hot droughts' are becoming more common in the arid West, new study finds Scientists looked at trees to better understand the interplay between temperatures and droughts in the Western U.S. Human-caused climate change is exacerbating both. Nathan Rott
Snake River toxic algal bloom warnings now lifted A large algal bloom on the Snake River officially has died off. The toxic algae stretched about 30 miles along the river this past fall. Courtney Flatt
'Frankly astonished': 2023 was significantly hotter than any other year on record 2023 was significantly hotter than any year going back to at least the late 1800s. The coming decades will be even hotter if humans don't rapidly move away from burning fossil fuels, scientists warn. Rebecca Hersher
Washington bill aims to reduce 'fast fashion' carbon emissions, pollution Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacture of fast fashion are growing just as fast as the industry. A new bill in Washington aims to help lessen the industry’s pollution. Courtney Flatt
Scientists sequence Oregon whitebark pine genome to help the threatened trees One tree in Central Oregon has helped protect iconic whitebark pine trees across the West. Scientists have sequenced the threatened tree’s genome, which helps plant more resilient trees faster. Courtney Flatt
