Series of blustery storms will hit Whatcom, and one could cause widespread damage
A series of typical fall storms will bring blustery weather to Western Washington for at least a week — but one of them could cause widespread power outages and other damage this weekend in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
It’s not the offshore “bomb cyclone” that captivated weather-watchers, but another storm that could develop with ferocious winds gusting above 60 mph, aimed straight at coastal areas north of Everett, said Reid Wolcott, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
About 20% to 30% of computer models that meteorologists use to forecast weather are showing that scenario for late Sunday, Oct. 24, Wolcott said.
“Up there in Bellingham, you would be in that danger zone,” he said.
“Damaging, gusty winds could cause widespread power outages and road closures due to downed trees and power lines, the weather service said in a statement Wednesday, Oct. 20. “Temporary structures could be damaged or destroyed.”
Further, hazardous crosswinds could be treacherous for drivers in vans and large trucks.
Heavy surf could also be a hazard.
“(But) the vast majority of our guidance is for a more run-of-the-mill storm,” WoIcott said.
Aside from that potential storm, however, Whatcom County residents should keep their raincoats handy for a week at least.
“When the jet stream is pointing at us, the door is open for storms to roll through every 24 to 36 hours,” Wolcott said.
Flooding and landslides aren’t much of a concern this early in the rainy season, however, he said.
“The soils are still moistening. There’s still capacity to absorb this rainfall, Wolcott said. “Maybe next week. It’s not an immediate concern.”
This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
