Here’s what to expect in Whatcom County from a potentially damaging weekend storm
A series of storms heading toward Western Washington promise gusty winds and heavy rain for the lowlands and snow in the mountains through the weekend and beyond, weather forecasters said Thursday, Nov. 12.
A powerful low-pressure system carrying a large amount of precipitation and strong winds is expected to hit Friday night, Nov. 13, according to the National Weather Service and other agencies monitoring its progress.
But its focus has veered away from Whatcom County, according to meteorologists Mary Butwin and Madelyn Kristell at the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“Main story this morning is the potential for high winds Friday into Friday night has decreased significantly,” Butwin and Kristell wrote in the online forecast discussion.
Intensity of the biggest storm isn’t yet known, but the weather service expects:
▪ Lowland rain and mountain snow could be heavy.
▪ Winds from the south and west could reach speeds that could damage trees and cause power outages.
A winter storm warning remains in effect through Saturday morning for the North Cascades.
Lowland Whatcom County could see west to southwest winds gusting at 35-40 mph with up to an inch of rain.
John Garrett, deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Department of Emergency Management, said that the weather agency Environment Canada has posted gale warnings for the Georgia Strait, including waters off Point Roberts, Blaine and Birch Bay.
“Coastal communities in Whatcom County should not see tidal effects from the coastal wind events this week,” Gargett said in an email. “The high tides, including storm surge, should not exceed 10 feet but drivers and persons on the beaches should always be cautious along low-lying coastal roads and beaches particularly in Birch Bay, Blaine, Sandy Point, and Lummi Island.”
West winds Friday and Saturday would be felt hardest in coastal areas such as Birch Bay, Cherry Point, Sandy Point, Lummi Island and Lummi Peninsula, south Bellingham and Larrabee State Park, Gargett said.
Rain is expected to start late Thursday afternoon and continue into Friday.
Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for Friday night into Saturday, easing to showers and then becoming rainy through Monday.
“Lowland rain and heavy mountain snow will accompany the system,” Butwin and Kristell said. “Locally gusty winds expected this afternoon through tonight. Additional weather systems will move through the area Saturday through the middle of next week. Heavy rain is possible with the system next Monday.”
Daytime temperatures will remain in the high 40s, with overnight lows in the low 40s.
Meanwhile, another series of storms will arrive early next week and officials will be watching the region’s rivers for possible flooding.
This story was originally published November 11, 2020 at 12:01 PM.
