PSE and others ‘closely watching’ forecast as chance of big windstorm increase for Whatcom
Chances that an approaching storm could pack a devastating punch for Whatcom County increased as weather forecasters said it could intensify quickly on Sunday, Oct. 24, with sustained winds of 40 mph and stronger gusts — capable of causing widespread power outages.
It’s another in a series of storms chugging across the Pacific Ocean toward Western Washington that will bring wind and rain through next week — including one that will hit Friday night, Oct. 22.
But it’s Sunday’s storm that’s being watched closely by emergency managers, utility companies and meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“It’s going to be windy. I think it’s still iffy on how much of an impact it will have,” meteorologist Brent Bower told The Bellingham Herald.
“There’s still a lot of things it could do,” he said.
Even so, a high wind watch was issued Friday afternoon for 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” the alert said.
Seattle meteorologist Mary Butwin explained the storm’s possible track in the weather service’s online forecast discussion Friday morning.
“Some (forecast models) have it staying strong and heading towards Western Washington, others have it weakening quickly as it approaches the shore. And others have it moving north as the previous systems have,” Butwin said.
Possible outages
It’s caught the attention of Puget Sound Energy, however, said spokesman Andrew Padula.
“We’re closely watching the forecast and are prepared to respond to potential power outages in our service area,” Padula told The Herald in an email.
“Our crews are ready to deploy with assignments when outages occur and as soon as it’s safe to do so,” he said. “These early in the season storms are always problematic because there are lots of leaves on the trees which can cause limbs to fall into power lines. Remember to keep clear of fallen utility wires.”
Emergency officials
John Gargett, deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management, said that residents could see sustained winds of 20-25 mph on Sunday night, gusting to 45-60 mph.
“Most importantly they do not know yet the exact track” of the storm, Gargett told The Herald in an email Friday after a briefing from the National Weather Service.
“Their (Global Forecast System) model suggests issues into Sunday night if it reaches the coast; (but the) European model suggests it will remain off the coast and we may only have a windy day,” Gargett said.
Both weather models show areas west of Interstate 5 will see the strongest winds, and that “their confidence is low to medium that we will have a significant wind event,” he said.
Next week
Aside from Sunday’s potentially devastating 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,” said Reid Wolcott at the National Weather Service.
Flooding and landslides aren’t much of a concern this early in the rainy season, however, he told The Herald.
“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 22, 2021 at 1:01 PM.
