Whatcom warned of possible hazards from this Pineapple Express rainstorm
A Pineapple Express, hauling a massive amount of rain from the South Pacific, will drench an already waterlogged Western Washington for the next two days, causing rivers and streams to rise even higher and raising the threat of landslides.
It’s a warm storm system, meaning heavy rain will fall below 9,000 feet in the North Cascades, adding snowmelt to the Nooksack River and its tributaries from Thursday, Nov. 11, into Friday, Nov. 12.
Daytime temperatures will be in the mid-50s, with overnight lows in the mid-40s.
“Rain from this event is expected to continue through Friday with high accumulations for most of the area,” National Weather Service meteorologist Mary Butwin said online.
Meteorologists call it an atmospheric river because of the immense amount of precipitation it carries.
Bellingham and lowland Whatcom County can expect 2 to 4 inches of rain through Friday, and the mountains will see 4 to 6 inches of rain.
But flooding isn’t expected on the Nooksack River, according to forecasts from NOAA’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.
The possibility of flooding was strongest In Ferndale, where the Nooksack was expected to peak just below minor flood stage early Saturday, Nov. 13.
Still, the National Weather Service posted warnings online about the danger of landslides, urban and small stream flooding, and water pooling on roads.
“Western Washington has been in a rainy pattern for much of the past three or more weeks, and with several bouts of heavy rain during that time,” the weather service said online.
“Rain alongside snowmelt will cause rivers area-wide to rise. And rainfall rates will likely cause for some urban/small stream flooding as well as ponding of water to occur,” Butwin said online.
“It would be advised to check storm drains and gutters before this event occurs to help aid in the drainage. Those traveling during the event should expect to encounter heavy rain which will reduce visibility as well as ponding on roads. If you are going out, give yourself plenty of time and give other drivers space,” she said.
