Here’s when snow is possible for Bellingham as arctic winds start to blow
A Fraser Outflow this weekend will bring strong north winds, unseasonably cold temperatures and a chance of snow to Western Washington, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service in Seattle.
That arctic chill means that snow is possible for Bellingham and lowland Whatcom County on several days starting Saturday night, Jan. 28.
But little precipitation is on the horizon, said meteorologist Dana Felton.
“Very little moisture associated with this feature but it will create a little lift, enough to possibly squeeze out some flurries as it moves through the region overnight. If there is any snow, accumulations will be light, less than an inch at best,” Felton said in the online forecast discussion Thursday, Jan. 26.
Daytime highs in the low 30s with overnight lows in the 20s are expected from Sunday, Jan. 29, through Tuesday, Jan. 31.
That’s cold enough for extreme weather shelters to open in both Bellingham and Ferndale.
All beds at Base Camp and its overflow shelter likely will be filled, said Hans Erchinger-Davis, president and CEO of the Lighthouse Mission.
But anyone can stop at Base Camp to get warm during the daytime Erchinger-Davis said.
Unprotected water pipes could also freeze.
Fraser winds usually are strong enough to cause a few, scattered power outages.
A wind advisory is in effect from Saturday, Jan. 28, through Sunday calling for northeast winds at 25 to 35 mph, gusting to 50 mph.
A few flurries are possible again Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 1, nights.
But temperatures will start returning to seasonal norms by Wednesday, Felton said.
This story was originally published January 26, 2023 at 10:48 AM.
