Update: Whatcom’s approaching weekend storm could be more damaging than usual fall weather
A strong storm poised to strike Western Washington this weekend will resemble a typical November blow, but it could cause minor urban flooding, dangerous driving conditions and scattered power outages because trees still have their leaves.
A wind advisory was issued for parts of the region, including coastal Skagit and Whatcom counties and the San Juan Islands, through 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17.
“These locations likely to see sustained speeds of 25-35 mph with gusts 40-50 mph, particularly adjacent to the waters,” the National Weather Service said in its online forecast for the Seattle area.
“Winds inland will be significantly less than directly near the waters, with sustained speeds 15-25 mph and gusts 25-35 mph,” the forecast said.
WInds started increasing before noon Friday, and power was out to more than 4,500 Puget Sound Energy customers in areas south and east of Bellingham — including the Fairhaven business district, Geneva and Chuckanut Drive.
Sustained winds were 21 mph, gusting to 29 mph, at noon Friday as recorded at Bellingham International Airport.
A gale warning was issued for Bellingham Bay and adjacent waters.
Passenger-only ferry service between Lummi Island and the mainland was suspended Friday morning until the weather improves, Whatcom County said on its website.
Little shoreline damage is forecast, however, said Wallace Kost at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.
“Some of the coastal areas could see waves in the 4-6 foot range; the wind is from the southeast so, that is more of a glancing blow although there are still a few exposed areas,” Kost said in the department’s daily briefing.
But the Washington State Department of Transportation postponed a planned closure of Old Fairhaven Parkway near Interstate 5 because of the forecast.
South winds will increase throughout Friday, peaking in the late afternoon and early evening.
“It is worth noting that as trees still have their leaves and being weak from the summer heat and lack of moisture, some tree damage and power outages in the region will be possible,” the weather service said.
Wind and rain will continue through the weekend, but won’t be as fierce as Friday night.
“Once the front passes tonight, winds will gradually ease but breezy conditions are expected on Saturday,” the weather service said.
Lowland Whatcom County could see 1 to 2 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday, with 4 to 6 inches forecast for the mountains, the weather service said.
Drivers should be wary of water on roadways as storm drains struggle to keep up with a downpour.
“With soils being so dry and compact, there will be a bit of a delay in water being soaked up by the ground,” the weather service said. “As a result, ponding of water is possible especially at the start of the heaviest rain. Urban flooding may also be a concern if storm drains are not cleared out or become blocked due to debris created from the winds.”
Kost said water over roads could cause a dangerous phenomenon called “hydroplaning,” where the car’s wheels ride atop a film of water and interfere with steering and braking.
“Pooling water causing hydroplaning will be another area of concern if people don’t slow down and allow tires to remain in contact with the roads,” Kost said.
No river flooding is expected because water levels are seasonally low.
And “the chance for landslides at this point is remote unless there have been some cracks that have developed where heavy rain could dislodge some areas but so far, nothing has been identified,” Kost said.
Snow is possible across the Cascades peaks at levels 6,000 to 10,000 feet.
Daytime temperatures will be in the low to mid-60s, with overnight lows in the 50s.
“Showers and rain look to continue through the weekend, so ground topsoil is going to become nice and saturated once again; future storms may have a greater runoff with flood potential, but we look good for this one,” Kost said.
This story was originally published September 17, 2021 at 8:12 AM.
