Whatcom County residents may want to batten down the hatches as high winds and some snow showers are expected to blast the area through Wednesday, Dec. 19, according to the National Weather Service.

A high wind warning was in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 7 p.m. Wednesday, with the strongest winds expected early Wednesday morning and again that afternoon.

Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are in the forecast, with gusts up to 60 mph, NWS meteorologist Art Gaebel said. Those winds could break tree branches, topple power lines and cause damage to buildings.

Snow showers also were in the forecast after 10 p.m. Tuesday, but little or no accumulation was expected in the lowlands. Those showers were expected to peter out by 10 a.m. Wednesday, replaced by rain and chilly temperatures through the rest of the week. Temperatures will be in the upper 30s and low 40s, staying above freezing near sea level. In the foothills, though, there could be some icy spots on the roads, Gaebel said.

While snow was minimal in the lowlands, at Mt. Baker Ski Area there was a deep snow advisory Tuesday after getting more than 5 feet of snow since Sunday morning. With deep, soft snow off of the area's groomed runs, skiers and snowboarders are being asked to avoid tree wells and vertical drops and ride with a partner at all times to keep safe on the slopes.

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Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803. Visit her School Days blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/schools or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamSchools.