First snow, now bitter cold for Whatcom. Here’s the Sunday forecast
With Christmas Day snow on the ground, there’s a wind chill advisory for Western Whatcom County until 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast Sunday morning, Dec. 26.
A Sunday noon update from the Whatcom County 911 Center Facebook said road conditions continue to be very hazardous countywide. Northern Whatcom County has extreme snow drifting, including on major thoroughfares. Roads are still largely covered in compact snow and ice.
The Whatcom dispatch center wrote that it received multiple reports of vehicles stuck in snowdrifts and ditches. “Tow trucks are still running extended response times due to increased demand. Please remain off the roadways, if at all possible.”
“Cold air from Canada will continue to spread into the area today. By Monday, highs will be below freezing with low temperatures dropping into the teens (single digits in Whatcom County). Cold air combined with Fraser outflow in Whatcom County will increase the risk for frostbite and hypothermia and will result in dangerous wind chills. Cold air is expected to linger area-wide through the week with temperatures only gradually moderating,” the weather service wrote.
“Gusty winds may cause power outages and tree and powerline damage. Temporary structures could be damaged” as Fraser outflow will bring gusty northeast winds through early Monday across Western Whatcom County. Gusts to 50 mph are possible, the weather service said.
At 8 a.m. Sunday it was 12 degrees at Bellingham International Airport, with a wind chill taking that down to -9 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service shows 12 degrees as a record low temperature last seen in 1971.
Light snow was falling at the airport at 8 a.m., turning to moderately heavy snow at 11 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
By 11:30 a.m. Sunday, temperatures had dipped to 10 degrees with a wind chill of -13 at the airport, with moderate snow still falling, according to the weather service.
An Everson Police Department video Sunday morning asked people to not drive if they don’t have to due to poor road conditions. “Lots of accidents this morning,” the video noted. Most roads out of Everson are impassable, it said.
Snowfall recorded by the volunteer Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network show for 7 a.m. Sunday:
Sudden Valley: 11.3 inches.
South of Everson: 8 inches.
Sehome Hill: 7.7 inches.
Northwest of Ferndale: 4.5 inches.
North of Custer: 3.2 inches.
The Bellingham forecast calls for a 20% chance of snow showers with mostly cloudy skies and a steady temperature around 19 degrees and wind chill values between 1 and 7 degrees Sunday. Also, blustery, with a north northeast wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Lows Sunday night should drop to 8 degrees with wind chill values between -4 and 5 degrees. North-northeast wind is predicted to be 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
About 1,000 customers near Deming and 475 customers near Maple Falls lost power at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the Puget Sound Electric outage map.
Lowland snow accumulations are likely Sunday on primary and secondary roadways resulting in travel delays. Road closures are possible.
Generally, the weather service said, 1-3 inches of new snow is expected Sunday. Snow accumulation will likely occur within waves of light rain.
Overnight, 10 inches of snow was observed in Sudden Valley and Bellingham.
Record snow season for Bellingham was 15.5 inches in 1980, according to the weather service.
Mt. Baker Ski Area reported on its website that the mountain had 8 inches of snow overnight with a total of 14 inches for the last 24 hours. “Our base has passed the magic 100” mark and the mountain is riding great with all of our chairs open, all of the named runs on the trail map open, and almost all of our terrain open,” the site noted.
Washington State Department of Transportation cameras show plows have been active, but little traffic was observed on Whatcom’s main roads at 7:45 a.m. Whatcom County plow crews have been working since 3 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 25.
Whatcom County 911’s Facebook page posted: “Thank you to all of our friends at the various municipal/county public works crews and WSDOT for working to clear our roadways! Please stay home if possible, and let these folks work to open things up.
“As of 8 am, roadway conditions remain poor county-wide. Please only travel if absolutely necessary, and carry emergency supplies. Roadway drifting remains a significant issue on multiple county roads this morning.”
Several Allegiant and Southwest flights out of Bellingham International Airport were canceled Sunday, according to the Port of Bellingham.
The stone bridge at Whatcom Falls Park was closed Sunday due to a fallen tree, according to a Facebook post by Bellingham Parks and Recreation.
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham canceled in-person services Sunday due to the poor road conditions, snow, and extreme temperatures. The weekly podcast is available, according to Council President Bryan Jones.
The flood debris disposal site at 3010 Halverstick Road is closed today due to extreme weather conditions, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Plantation Rifle Range is closed Sunday due to severe weather conditions including downed trees and significant snowfall, according to the Whatcom County website.
Monday’s forecast is mostly sunny with a high near 21 degrees and wind chill values between -3 and 7 degrees with north-northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north in the afternoon. Monday night is forecast to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 15 degrees.
The snow is likely to stay around. The high temperature Tuesday, Dec. 28, is forecast to be 28, with more snow predicted for Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Wednesday’s high is predicted to be 29 degrees. Thursday, Dec. 30, is predicted to see snow in the morning, then rain and snow likely as the high temperature reaches 35 degrees.
The forecast for New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31, shows a slight chance of snow, with a high temperature near 33 degrees.
More rain and snow is predicted for New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1. It’s expected to be cloudy, with a high temperature near 39 degrees.
Preparing for the cold
The extreme cold is the biggest concern coming from the forecast, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management Director John Gargett told The Bellingham Herald in an email last week, especially in areas of the county still battling the impacts from the November atmospheric river storms and flooding.
“The larger concern is the cold temperatures and we are taking steps to ensure that those that have been affected by the flooding and may not have had a chance to fully insulate their homes or are in temporary housing are aware of actions to take to prepare for the cold,” Gargett wrote. “For our Temporary Housing site in Sumas we have already brought in additional heaters.
“We do not, subject to power outages, expect to have additional sheltering needs.”
To help residents prepare for the expected frigged temperatures, Gargett pointed to a FEMA winter storm information sheet, which suggests these steps to take before the weather arrives:
▪ Know what the risks for winter storms are in the area.
▪ Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping.
▪ Pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms.
▪ Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.
▪ Create an emergency supply kit for your car with jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks and keep your gas tank full.
▪ Learning the signs and treatments for frostbite and hypothermia.
With the freezing temperatures only a couple of days away, now is also a good time to make sure that space heaters and other heat sources don’t become a fire hazard.
“The magic number is at least three feet away,” Bellingham Fire Marshal Ron Richard told The Herald. “You want to keep combustible materials, such as papers and wood and plastic at least that far away from heat sources. It’s a very common thing we see. Good housekeeping is just a good practice. A lot of fires occur because combustible items are just too close to a space heater or wood stove.
“On top of that, we’ve got all the Christmas-related items. Christmas trees and presents too often get too close to a heat source and become a problem.”
Once the cold and snow arrive, FEMA suggests:
▪ Staying off the roads if possible.
▪ Limit time outside.
▪ Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by using generators and grills outdoors away from windows.
▪ Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow to reduce the risk of heart attack.
▪ Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
▪ Check on neighbors.
“Most importantly, tell kids to remember that Santa may need an extra cup of hot chocolate!” Gargett wrote.
Knowing that the cold weather is coming a few days in advance is important to allow residents to make sure they are well prepared,” Bellingham Fire Department Assistant Chief Dave Parker said.
“People have the opportunity to stock up on food and the things they need so they don’t need to go out,” Parker said. “That’s the worst thing is having to go out.”
This story was originally published December 26, 2021 at 7:42 AM.
