The Hoh Rain Forest, one of Washington state's most popular outdoor attractions and a highlight of Olympic National Park, is closed to visitors because of road damage, with no clear timeline for reopening.

Why it matters: If the sole access road to the rainforest isn't repaired soon, it could force thousands of would-be campers and hikers to cancel their summer plans, while hurting the economies of nearby communities.

• About 460,000 people visited the Hoh area of Olympic National Park last year, according to the National Park Service.

State of play: Heavy rains in December washed out part of the Upper Hoh Road, the only way to access the rainforest's trailheads, campgrounds and visitor center by car.

• Jefferson County, which maintains the road, has asked the Federal Highway Administration for emergency repair funding, something it has done before to complete similar repairs on the same road, Eric Kuzma, the county's assistant public works director, tells Axios.
• But he said after "countless meetings, emails, and calls," the federal agency has yet to make a decision.

Zoom in: Some people with June reservations at campgrounds in the Hoh Rain Forest have reported receiving notices that the area is likely to be closed at that time, and that they may want to cancel so they can receive a full refund.

• The Hoh is known for being one of the country's last temperate rainforests, for its trails blanketed with mosses and ferns; and for being home to what an acoustic expert declared the quietest spot in the contiguous U.S.

Between the lines: Washington state is facing a budget shortfall, so it's unclear whether legislators will step in and help.

• They aren't expected to finalize a new two-year budget until the end of April at the earliest.

What we're watching: Once federal assistance is granted, the county could fix the road "within a month," Kuzma said.

• But without that aid, he said it's uncertain when the road can be restored.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to remove an estimate of how much it would cost to repair Upper Hoh Road.

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Federal workforce cuts at NOAA and the National Weather Service are raising emergency preparedness concerns, but Washington so far doesn't appear to have seen the level of cuts in other states, a state climate official said.

Why it matters: The climate and weather agency provides essential services, including detailed forecasts for industries like shipping, ski resorts and water supply management. It also issues warnings to protect life and property during natural disasters.

Driving the news: State climatologist Guillaume Mauger told Axios this week that one probationary employee at the National Weather Service in Seattle was cut, as was an employee at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the USDA agency responsible for measuring snowpack.

• Per the Seattle Times, NOAA lost at least three employees in Washington, including one of two people responsible for information security at the Office of Response and Restoration.
• OPB reported the cut of a NOAA natural resource specialist who had been dedicated to protecting whales.

The big picture: NOAA, which employs about 12,000 people — including over 700 in Washington — laid off roughly 800 probationary employees nationwide last week, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said in a statement.

Reality check: Mauger said it's too early to say whether Washington will ultimately avoid the more severe staffing reductions seen in other states, including Oregon.

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Mark your calendar for a rare celestial event: a full "Blood Moon" total lunar eclipse is set to grace the sky next week.​

🗓 When to watch: The eclipse begins next Thursday at 8:57pm Pacific Time.

• Totality — when the Moon is entirely within Earth's shadow — is set to occur between 11:26pm on March 13 and 12:31am on March 14, per NASA.

🌕 What to expect: During totality, the Moon will take on a deep red-orange hue, a phenomenon often referred to as a "Blood Moon."

• "It's as if all the world's sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon," writes NASA.

🔭 How to see it: No special equipment is required, but binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view. Find a dark spot, check the forecast, and look up.

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🏈 The Seahawks have released wide receiver Tyler Lockett after 10 seasons. Wide receiver DJ Metcalf has also requested a trade. (KIRO 7)

🏢 Downtown Seattle's Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, home to Washington's two Democratic senators' local offices, is one of nine "non-core" federal properties in the state that could be up for sale or transfer. (KUOW)

🌅 Seattle saw its first 6pm sunset of the year last night, signaling the return of longer days and brighter evenings. (KIRO 7)

Seahawks players are fans of new head coach Mike Macdonald, but they're less thrilled with some of their training facilities, according to the team's latest report card from the NFL Players Association.

Why it matters: The rankings give insight into players' working conditions and how well each NFL franchise is run — factors that could influence each team's ability to attract top free agents.

By the numbers: Overall, the Seahawks ranked 15th out of 32 NFL teams when it came to players' daily experience "away from the lights and cameras," per the union.

• The rankings are based on a survey of nearly 1,700 players last year.

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