Snow delays schools, alters bus routes in Bellingham, Whatcom County
Whatcom County schools opened late or limited bus service after an early morning dusting of snow and overnight freezing temperature caused several crashes and threatened to affect the morning commute.
Snow was falling harder and accumulating on roads in rural areas north of Bellingham about 4 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, especially in cities closer to the U.S.-Canada border, according to social media posts.
South and east of Bellingham, snow was lighter and began accumulating on roads about 6 a.m.
Up to 2 inches of snow was possible by early afternoon from Bellingham to Blaine, the National Weather Service in Seattle said in an advisory.
“Plan on slippery road conditions. Allow for extra time if traveling,” the advisory said.
Car crashes were reported after 7 a.m. south of Lynden and near Everson, according to the emergency services app Pulse Point.
Wrecks that were blocking or partially blocking roads also were reported on state highways near Blaine and Kendall and on Interstate 5 north of Ferndale, the Washington State Department of Transportation said at its website.
WSDOT traffic cameras showed light traffic with the pavement clear of snow around Bellingham.
Cameras showed that snow was sticking to Guide Meridian near Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
Observers told The Bellingham Herald that conditions were good on streets in Bellingham, but roads were slushy through Geneva and Sudden Valley.
No crashes or cars in ditches were reported.
Some Whatcom Transportation Authority bus routes were affected by snow early Monday, but were back to normal by 9 a.m., according to the bus agency’s Twitter account.
Forecast
A chance of rain was possible after 1 p.m. Monday, with daytime temperatures in high 30s and low 40s around Whatcom County.
Warmer temperatures were expected overnight Monday with about a 20% chance of light rain, lingering into Tuesday, in areas around Bellingham.
Heavier snow was possible for the Whatcom County lowlands closer to the border, where Environment Canada was predicting snow through Monday morning.
“Depending on the location, the snow is expected to taper off or transition to rain mixed with wet snow some time near midday (Monday)” in the Fraser River Valley and lower British Columbia.
“Snowfall accumulations of (1 to 2 inches) are expected for most regions with higher amounts up to (4 inches) over higher elevations and for Howe Sound,” Environment Canada said. “Be prepared for changing weather and road conditions during the morning commute today. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.”
Schools affected
Bellingham schools were on time Monday, Dec. 6, with buses using snow routes in the morning only, the district said on its website.
Schools in Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley were starting two hours late and canceled morning preschool classes.
Western Washington University was operating on a normal scheduled, WWU tweeted.
No information was posted online about Whatcom Community College or Bellingham Technical College.
More snow possible
Cold weather will continue this week with several storm systems bringing mostly lowland rain, mountain snow, and breezy conditions, the National Weather Service said.
“Wintry precipitation is possible in the lowlands at times this week, with minor accumulations possible,” meteorologist Maddie Kristell said in its online forecast discussion.
Mountain conditions
Mt. Baker Ski Area reported 3 inches of snow in the past day, after weeks of rain and warmer temperatures melted more than 3 feet of early November snow.
“We are finally seeing a change in the weather pattern, with a return to cooler temperatures,” ski area officials wrote on the website.
Heather Meadows had a 21-inch base at 4,300 feet and Panorama Dome had a 36-inch base at 5,000 feet.
About 12 inches of snow was forecast in the North Cascades, the ski area said.
“At this point we are needing about 20 inches of new snow on top of our existing base in order to be able to open parts of the ski area so let’s hope the snowfall comes in on the generous side of the forecasts,” the ski area said.
This story was originally published December 6, 2021 at 6:56 AM.
