Overnight snow complicates Whatcom commute. Here’s what’s coming for the weekend
Snow was falling across Whatcom County early Thursday, Dec. 30, amid a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service in Seattle and the possibility of a dangerous morning commute.
At least 2 inches of new snow was on the ground at 5:30 a.m., atop a foot or more of snow that’s fallen since a storm Dec. 25-26.
Interstate 5 through Bellingham was covered in snow, according to Washington State Department of Transportation cameras.
At least one lane was clear in each direction by 9:30 a.m., but cameras showed that compact snow and ice remained on the asphalt and traffic was light.
“Crews have continued to be out 24/7 plowing and treating state highways. But with snow still falling, there will be snow/ice on roads,” WSDOT tweeted at 7:30 a.m.
“Do not expect clear sailing today. It’s not realistic. If you must head out, it’s going to be challenging so plan to take it slow, give yourself lots of extra time and give road crews plenty of room so they can try to make it as safe as possible for you,” WSDOT tweeted.
A WSDOT camera at Guide Meridian and Main Street in Lynden showed the street covered in snow at 5:30 Thursday.
“Please plan for a tricky commute (Thursday) morning, and consider working from home,” Whatcom County 911 said on its Facebook page.
“If you must venture out, be sure to carry emergency supplies and warm clothing in your vehicle. As we saw earlier this week, arrival times for tow trucks may be several hours during severe weather,” officials at the What-Comm emergency service said.
National Weather Service forecasts said that the Whatcom County lowlands could receive 2 to 5 inches of snow, with the storm ending about noon Thursday
Some 6 inches of new snow was on the ground at 8 a.m. in Lynden, said Randy Small, who operates the Whatcom County Weather pages on Twitter and Facebook.
Officials at the city of Bellingham also asked residents to stay home.
“We ask people to avoid travel when possible and use extreme caution when driving is necessary,” the city said on its Facebook page.
About 2,000 Puget Sound Energy customers were without electricity early Thursday with outages in Sudden Valley and near Nugents Corner.
By 8:30 a.m., fewer than 200 customers were without power, mainly along Cain Lake Road north of Alger.
At Bellingham International Airport, the temperature was 23 degrees at 5:30 a.m. — warmer than the record single-digit cold seen over the past week, but still about 15 degrees below seasonal norms.
Winds were blowing from the Fraser River Valley at 16 mph and gusting to 28 mph with light snow and mist at Bellingham International Airport, according to online data.
That adds up to a chill factor of 12 degrees.
“Weather system moving down from the northwest will move through Western Washington (Thursday) morning/early afternoon bringing another round of snow to most of the area,” said meteorologist Dana Felton at the National Weather Service.
“Doppler radar picking up snow from about Seattle northward over the interior at 3 a.m.,” Felton said online.
Cold hazards
“Very cold temperatures will impact vulnerable populations such as the homeless, pets, and those without adequate access to heating,” the National Weather Service said in an emailed statement.
“Exposed pipes may be damaged by freezing conditions. Sensitive crops/plants may be killed.”
Highs Thursday will range from the high 20s to the mid-30s, with overnight low temperatures Thursday from the teens to mid-20s, the weather service said.
“Cold air combined with Fraser outflow in Whatcom County will increase the risk for frostbite and hypothermia and will result in cold wind chills as low as 0,” the statement said.
“Refreeze likely each night this week leading to icy conditions. Isolated areas of ice accumulation on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses could lead to areas of hazardous road and pedestrian conditions,” the statement said.
Shelters open
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.
Those shelters would remain open as long as the bitter cold lasts, officials said.
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.
Ferndale was operating a warming shelter staffed by volunteers at United Church of Ferndale through Friday, Dec. 31, according to the city’s Facebook page.
In Kendall, the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center was open as a warming shelter.
Closures
Bellingham International Airport tweeted that 8 inches or more of snow fell overnight.
“BLI saw heavy snowfall last night but the runway is open and operational,” officials tweeted.
A few flights were delayed Thursday morning, but no cancellations of departing flights were posted on the airport website.
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 on its website.
Trash, recycling
Sanitary Service Co. said on its website that some customers will miss trash and recycling pickups because of deep snow.
“During times of unsafe road conditions, you may experience service delays or disruptions. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our team members and the public. SSC is committed to providing service to the best of our ability in areas that can be safely accessed,” SSC said.
Missed trash pickups will be made on the next regularly scheduled days.
Missed recycling and curbside compost and yard waste pickups will be made at the next regularly scheduled pickups.
Whatcom mountains
Mt. Baker Ski Area was open with normal weekday operations Thursday, with 6 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours.
Fraser outflow winds aren’t an issue at the ski area, but there was an advisory for “unusually cold” temperatures and deep snow that creates a tree well hazard.
Avalanche danger was “considerable” 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.
Whatcom forecast
Unseasonably cold weather is expected to linger through Friday, but warmer temperatures are expected this weekend in at least some parts of Whatcom County.
Sunny skies and a high of 30 was forecast for Friday, Dec. 31.
National Weather Service forecasts show a high of 46 degrees and rain for Bellingham on Sunday, Jan. 2.
But Environment Canada was predicting a high of about 35 degrees with rain or snow on Sunday for Abbotsford, B.C., which is just across the U.S.-Canada border from Lynden and Sumas.
And more snow was possible for next week, Felton said online.
“Cold front moving through later Sunday night with another cool upper-level trough over the area Monday. Snow levels dropping down to near or below 1,000 feet,” which is the approximate elevation of Sudden Valley, he said.
“This will be something to watch out for in future forecasts,” he said.
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 6:11 AM.
