Whatcom will see weather Tuesday that might seem unusual
After two weeks without rain, Whatcom County will see a wet and windy day Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Bellingham could get a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain and see south and west winds gusting to around 40 mph, according to the latest forecast.
“It won’t be all that unusual but we haven’t had any wet weather for a couple of weeks now,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Guy in Seattle.
Some 2.73 inches of rain has fallen through Monday, Nov. 21, as measured at Bellingham International Airport. Normal rainfall for November is 5.20 inches.
Tuesday’s storm will be typical of fall in the Northwest, Guy told The Bellingham Herald.
There could be a power outage or two, but wind speeds aren’t expected to approach advisory level, he said.
Daytime temperatures will be around 50, with lows in the lower 40s — much more seasonable temperatures, according to the forecast.
Snow was expected above 3,500 feet.
Mt. Baker Ski Area was open on a weekday schedule, but officials were warning winter sports enthusiasts about a variable snow base.
“Coverage is thin/early season in some areas and the variable snow base changes with elevation, aspect/sun exposure, terrain and usage. You will need to ride with early season caution and be alert to variable coverage, terrain, and other marked or unmarked hazards,” ski area officials said at their website.
No forecasts were issued for backcountry conditions.
Seasonal forecasting from the Northwest Avalanche Center was expected to start Wednesday, Nov. 23.
