Here’s when Whatcom will warm up. In the meantime, stay off the roads if you can
Very cold weather is likely to stay with Whatcom County through late this week, according to the Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 20, forecast from the National Weather Service.
Whatcom temperatures should range from 11 to 20 degrees Wednesday, Dec. 21, and 18 to 25 degrees Thursday, Dec. 22, then warm to 30 to 46 degrees Friday, Dec. 23, and 43 to 53 Saturday, Dec. 24.
The Whatcom County Emergency Management briefing Tuesday afternoon said to not travel unless you must, even if there is some sunshine Wednesday.
“Public Works is out cleaning roads with the highest priority roads being worked first. Secondary roads will take more time,” the briefing said, noting:
▪ Weather will continue to be a factor with lows overnight in the teens and wind chills making it feel like it’s below zero.
▪ The northern part of the county will continue to see drifting snow in some places.
▪ More clouds roll into the area late Wednesday night and there’s a chance of 1-3 inches of snow in the lowlands and 2-4 inches in the foothills Thursday.
The National Weather Service said Fraser outflow winds gusting to 45 mph across western Whatcom County will result in wind chills between 0 and -15 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Snowfall probabilities in Whatcom County are just 5% for 6 inches or more from 10 a.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday. But there’s a 50% chance for 1 inch of snow in that period.
However, there is a greater than 5% chance for freezing rain in Whatcom County from Thursday through Friday night.
Blended forecast models of ice accumulation from Bellingham to Arlington show a probability of 35% to 55% for 0.10 of an inch.
Ice loading could cause tree and powerline damage and result in power outages.
While freezing rain cannot be ruled out anywhere in western Washington, the weather service said, temperatures will continue to warm after freezing rain falls, so ice cover will be temporary in nature.
A persistent series of storms may impact the region Friday through New Year’s Day, with river flooding likely. This pattern, along with King Tides will increase the risk of coastal flooding/erosion, according to the weather service.
If your agency or business will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 21, please let us know at newsroom@bellinghamherald.com.
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 4:24 PM.
