New forecasts show Nooksack rising higher as atmospheric river nears Whatcom
Minor flooding is now expected in Ferndale and possibly other parts of Whatcom County as an atmospheric river drops heavy rain over Northwest Washington.
A flood watch was issued and the threat of landslides has increased because of soil saturated with melting snow.
A warm, wet storm will drop up to 2 inches of rain in Bellingham and lowland Whatcom County during the worst of the storm on Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 11-12, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Heavier rain is expected in the North Cascades, causing snowmelt that will engorge the Nooksack River.
Latest predictions from the Northwest River Forecast Center show the Nooksack reaching minor flood stage early Wednesday and receding quickly as rain subsides.
Current data shows the Nooksack River cresting below moderate flood stage about mid-day Tuesday and receding quickly.
Similar storms that caused snow to melt quickly in the Mount Baker wilderness have caused disastrous flooding in communities along the Nooksack River from the South Fork Valley to the river mouth at Lummi Nation.
