Forecasters expecting ‘bomb cyclone’ to hit Whatcom County, along with atmospheric river
A weather phenomenon called a “bomb cyclone” is poised to strike Bellingham and the rest of Western Washington, along with an atmospheric river of drenching rain and mountain snow.
Warm air from the South Pacific is running headlong into cold air from the Gulf of Alaska and will collide with sudden and explosive force, creating fierce and changing winds, Dana Felton of the National Weather Service in Seattle said online.
“Even with the (storm) well offshore, damaging winds are possible Tuesday night along the coast, portions of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and in the Cascades foothills,” Felton said.
It’s on track to hit Tuesday night, and a high wind watch was likely, he said.
Winds of 50-55 mph could damage trees and buildings, causing power outages, the weather service said Monday in an online briefing about the storm. A high-wind watch was issued for Whatcom County until 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Forecasts throughout Western Washington depend on terrain an microclimates, the weather service said:
▪ Heavy snow is possible over the Cascades on Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Snow levels rapidly drop to around 2,000 feet with up to 1 foot of snow can be expected near the Cascades passes. Rates may reach 1 inch per hour during the heaviest snowfall and a blizzard warning was issued.
With the additional snowfall, the Mt. Baker Ski Area announced that it will open on Thursday.
The North Cascades Highway, which the Washington State Department of Transportation closed Friday in anticipation of of heavy snow, will stay closed for the winter season.
▪ Minor coastal flooding (up to 2 feet of inundation) is expected along the interior waters during high tide on Monday. Tides are also being watched on Tuesday and Wednesday with low pressure over the region.
▪ Another round of strong winds may occur with another storm system Friday.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 12:06 PM.
