More Whatcom storms due: When to expect wind, rain and a ‘Pineapple Express’
Another series of storms will blow through Whatcom County this week, bringing strong winds and possibly some power outages for the lowlands, snow for the mountains — and heavy rain as a classic Pineapple Express approaches later in the week.
And that atmospheric river of rain will put a damper on hopes of an early start to the winter sports season.
Expect strong winds early Tuesday, Nov. 9, as part of a system with southeast to southwest winds of 30-40 mph, gusting to 55 mph, said Mike McFarland of the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“It’s certainly going to be blustery. It’s a pretty good front,” McFarland told The Bellingham Herald.
A high-wind warning was in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Strongest winds will be in western Whatcom County, especially areas around Bellingham Bay, where a gale warning was in effect.
Minor coastal flooding was also possible Tuesday morning when a 9.2-foot high tide coincides with the strongest winds.
“Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures possible,” the weather service said.
Expect a bit of a break about midday Wednesday as rain eases and a partly sunny afternoon is in the forecast.
But heavy rain is expected Thursday into Friday as an atmospheric river arrives, bringing warm, blustery, moist air from the tropics.
It was too early to tell if flooding could be expected on the Nooksack River, McFarland said.
High temperatures will be in the low 50s all week, with lows in the high 30s and low 40s.
Mountain snow
Storms over the weekend dumped 2 feet or more of snow in the Mount Baker wilderness, and more was on the way early this week.
A winter storm advisory was in effect Tuesday for the Mount Baker wilderness, where up to 2 more feet of snow was possible.
But the Pineapple Express due to hit Thursday will bring rain to the North Cascades below 8,000 feet.
And that means the Mt. Baker Ski Area likely won’t be opening this week.
“We have a warm atmospheric river headed our way starting Thursday,” the ski area said at its website. “Hopefully that will consolidate the snow into a solid base, but it looks like we will definitely lose some inches.”
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 12:12 PM.
