Spring Break storms could bring Whatcom heavy rain and high winds and snow to ski areas
Bellingham and the rest of Whatcom County is in for a rainy Spring Break, and a storm system that should hit this weekend and last into next week appears to be packing strong winds and heavy rain.
That could mean a few downed trees and power outages, but will be good news for snow-sports enthusiasts. because the Mount Baker region could get 1 to 2 feet of snow, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“It’s kind of a prolonged wet period,” meteorologist Gary Schneider told The Bellingham Herald.
Rain was expected to start Friday night, April 1, and continue through Tuesday night, April 5, tapering off to scattered showers later in the week.
“It looks like the winds will be strongest on Monday” at 20-30 mph and gusting to 40-50 mph, Schneider said.
Even so, Schneider said winds from the south-southeast shouldn’t create damaging waves in coastal areas, such as Birch Bay.
High tide at Cherry Point is 8.3 feet at 7:17 a.m. Monday, April 4, followed by a 0 low tide at 2:18 p.m.
“There could be some issue, but it doesn’t look like that kind of event,” he said.
Heavy rains will cause rivers and creeks to rise, but they’re expected to crest below flood stage.
For snow-lovers, the Mt. Baker Ski Area remains open.
Avalanche danger is moderate in the Mount Baker wilderness backcountry, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.
