More snow on tap for Whatcom as forecasts differ on when the arctic chill will break
An arctic chill that’s held Whatcom County in its icy grip since Christmas could break on New Year’s Day, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
But other forecasting agencies — including Environment Canada — think temperatures could hover around the freezing mark and bring additional snow to Western Washington into next week.
“A warmer system will bring the return to the typical lowland rain/mountain snow pattern over the weekend,” the National Weather Service said online.
“It should start out as snow for the interior then switch over the rain/snow mix in the morning and mostly all rain by mid- to late afternoon as temperatures warm to near 40,” the forecast said.
Environment Canada’s forecast for Abbotsford, B.C., however, shows the mercury at freezing or below through at least Tuesday, Jan. 4.
Private forecasting businesses such as AccuWeather, The Weather Channel and Weather Underground all show temperatures at the freezing level with snow possible next week as classes are scheduled to resume for local schools.
Meanwhile, more snow was due Wednesday night, Dec. 29, and both weather agencies posted warnings for strong winds and sub-zero wind chills.
About 1 to 3 inches of new snow was expected overnight Wednesday, Dec. 29, and Thursday, Dec. 30, with a “worst-case” maximum of 5 inches, the National Weather Service said.
Clouds were expected to clear Thursday afternoon and sunny skies were in the forecast through Friday, Dec. 31.
More light snow was possible Saturday, Jan. 1, before switching to rain or freezing rain as temperatures warm.
Temperatures warmed Tuesday to a high of 21 degrees after two days of record-breaking cold as arctic air creeps south from Canada.
Highs Wednesday are expected in the high 20s, warming to the low 30s Thursday and Friday.
The Saturday, Jan. 1, forecast high is 42 — far closer to the seasonal norm of 45 degrees.
Roads
Washington State Department of Transportation cameras showed that lanes of travel were bare and traffic was light early Wednesday on Interstate 5 through Bellingham and north and south of the city.
Elsewhere around Whatcom County, major streets were plowed and passable with compact snow and ice early Wednesday
Shelter
People who were living outside were urged to use homeless shelters for overnight warmth or call 360-788-7983 to find housing, the city of Bellingham said on its website.
A temporary daytime warming site opened from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave.
A temporary overnight warming space opened from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. on the ground floor of the Civic Building, at 322 N. Commercial St.
Both shelters will remain open as long as the severely cold weather remains, said Jed Holmes, spokesman for Whatcom County.
Because of COVID-19 precautions and the size of the space, the number of people allowed and the amount of belongings per person will be limited, the city said on its website.
“Masks, social distancing and kindness required,” the city said.
Closures
Schools, colleges and Western Washington University are on holiday break.
But Whatcom Community College and WWU closed their campuses for all but essential workers because of the weather.
“On-campus walkways remain icy, and extreme care should be taken when walking on campus. Due to the danger of falling branches, pedestrians should also avoid the Sehome Arboretum,” WWU said at its website.
Whatcom mountains
Mt. Baker Ski Area was open with normal weekday operations Wednesday.
Fraser outflow winds aren’t an issue at the ski area, but there was an advisory for cold temperatures and deep snow that creates a tree well hazard.
Avalanche danger was “moderate” in the Mount Baker wilderness, the Northwest Avalanche Center said online.
Mount Baker Highway was open to the seasonal closure near Heather Meadows, with traction tires required.
.jpg "Image from iOS (12).jpg")
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 8:42 AM.
