Seattle
United States
Seattle is projected to face a future where frequent heatwaves and heavy precipitation become increasingly common, challenging its climate resilience. To combat these anticipated hazards, the city implements technology-enabled climate resilience solutions, particularly in the water sector. These include advanced hydrological modeling, simulation, and forecasting, which help in understanding and managing water resources effectively. The current initiatives focus on utilizing cutting-edge technology to predict and respond to hydrological changes, while also planning for adaptive measures that enhance the city's resilience to climate impacts. By integrating these present and proposed actions, Seattle aims to mitigate the effects of climate hazards, ensuring a sustainable and secure environment for its residents in the years ahead.
Hazard Outlook
How will Seattle's projected climate hazards compare to other cities under a 3.0°C future warming scenario?
Heavy Rainfall Days
With 11 days of heavy rainfall expected, Seattle ranks higher than most cities for extreme precipitation events.
Longest Heatwave
Seattle may experience heatwaves lasting up to 4 days, near the median of other cities.
Maximum Rainfall
Seattle's projected maximum rainfall of 10 mm is near the median of cities globally.
Elevation
At 91 m elevation, Seattle faces moderate risk from coastal flooding and sea level rise.
Maximum Temperature
Seattle's projected maximum temperature of 8.4°C is lower than most cities globally under a 3.0°C warming scenario.
Exposure Summary
Adaptation Priorities
Seattle faces elevated exposure to heavy rain. These areas may warrant priority attention in adaptation planning.
Data source: Climate projections from the IPCC AR6 scenario analysis. See our methodology for details on how we process and interpret this data.
Deployed Solutions
Deployed climate adaptation technologies identified in Seattle.
Recommended Solutions
Proven solutions from similar cities that could help diversify Seattle's resilience portfolio
Cost of Doing Nothing Assessment Toolbox for Municipal Climate Decisions
90%Vancouver's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy includes an action to generate localized cost-implication estimates from inaction on climate adaptation, using ICLEI's Cost of Doing Nothing toolbox for municipal governments.
HAZUR® Urban Risk Assessment and Resilience Planning Methodology
85%The HAZUR® methodology represents a structured, qualitative risk assessment framework designed to evaluate interconnected urban services and infrastructures within cities, identifying risks, assessing cascading impacts, and establishing priorities for improvement.
Heat Risk Story Map and Vulnerability Index
86%Manchester developed a heat mapping tool to enhance understanding of the city's exposure and vulnerability to heat over time.
Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) for Evidence-Based Decision Support
86%The Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) is a UK-based national evidence-based resource designed to support local decision-makers, including public sector institutions, to take climate adaptation action.
RESCCUE Urban Water Resilience Methodology
85%Barcelona performed a comprehensive resilience diagnosis using the RESCCUE methodology and tools to assess climate change impacts on the city's water services.
Digital Surface Flood Warning System with Multi-Sensor Network
86%Manchester City Council has committed to investing in remote monitoring systems at known flooding sites to enable a more effective response.
Llobregat River Turbidity Prediction Model for Water Supply
85%A turbidity model was developed to analyse the water quality of Llobregat river in case of rainfall events.
Integrated 1D-2D Hydraulic Modeling for Urban Drainage Systems
85%Mathematical modelling of wastewater and stormwater systems was undertaken with SWMM (1D) and Basement (2D), mostly in the downtown area (drainage catchments J&L).