Autumn’s first big windstorm ready to smack Whatcom County. How prepared are you?
Fall’s first big storm is set to hit Bellingham and western Whatcom County overnight Thursday, bringing gusty winds that could cause a few power outages.
Winds likely won’t be strong enough to issue an advisory, but they could cause more damage than usual because most trees still have their leaves, the National Weather Service said online.
“Winds will be of concern for some locations as the front passes through, as portions of western Whatcom and Skagit counties as well as the San Juans may see gusts late this evening and throughout the overnight hours. It is important to note that this appears to be the first wind event for Western Washington this autumn season. As such, isolated downed tree branches or power outages may be possible,” the weather service said.
Thursday night’s storm comes on the heels of an unusually wet system that dumped a record 1 inch of rain Wednesday, as measured at Bellingham International Airport. It broke the mark of 0.47 inch for Sept. 25 that was set in 1956.
For mariners, a gale warning from 3 p.m. Thursday through 5 a.m. Friday. Winds will be southeast at 25 to 35 knots with wind waves at 2 to 3 feet.
Winds should ease overnight, then shift to the southwest Friday.
Robert Greene, a spokesman for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, said the wind could affect coastal areas of Whatcom County, including Point Roberts, the Lummi Peninsula, Sandy Point, Birch Bay, Birch Point and Point Whitehorn.
“Residents with boats in marinas should take pre-emptive actions to secure their vessels. People living on the coast should be prepared for high winds. There is potential concern over Thursday night, into Friday morning,” Greene said in an emailed statement.
This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 11:24 AM.
