Whatcom County bracing for holiday weekend snow, but cold could last into next year
The National Weather Service has not issued any winter weather watches or warnings for Whatcom County’s holiday weekend, yet, but make no doubt about it, freezing cold and snow are firmly in the forecast.
As of Wednesday morning, Dec. 22, the National Weather Service is now saying there is a 98% chance that Bellingham will receive more than an inch of snow between 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, and 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, and it’s 50-50 it will receive more than six inches of snow. But the chances of a foot or more of snow over the weekend remained at 5%, the weather service said.
But whatever amount of snow Whatcom County does get is likely to stick around for a while, as cold temperatures could persist in Whatcom County into the New Year, the weather service said.
“Cold air from Canada will gradually spread southwards beginning Saturday and noticeably impacting the area by early next week,” Tuesday’s forecast read. “By Monday, highs will likely be below freezing with low temperatures dropping into the teens. Cold air may linger through the New Year.”
The Fraser Outflow is expected to begin developing Friday, as northeasterly winds will blow across western Whatcom County and the San Juan Islands, according to Wednesday’s forecast.
By Saturday, an Arctic air mass is expected to begin pushing into the area, bringing snow levels to near sea level, the weather service stated, meaning a white Christmas is definitely in the picture for Whatcom County.
“Rain early Saturday may transition to a rain/snow mix or to light snow later in the day,” the weather service forecast said. “Surface temperatures above freezing expected to limit accumulations, although some spots could experience light accumulation (an inch or less).”
But there will be a better potential for lowland snow Saturday night and Sunday, as the Arctic air pushes further, though the National Weather Service said snow amounts remain “uncertain, but a few inches are reasonable at present time.”
Gusty winds out of the northeast will send wind chill temperatures plummeting, and the weather service says it has “increasing confidence” that much colder temperatures — likely the coldest of the season — will keep Whatcom County in the freezer most of next week. Highs will struggle to reach freezing Monday and likely will remain in the 20s until at least mid-week, with lows in the teens or even single digits.
But conditions are expected to dry out beginning Monday, meaning the potential for more snow after this weekend is unlikely.
