Weekend snow, cold expected to ramp up avalanche danger in Whatcom County’s backcountry
This weekend’s weather is expected to bring dangerous conditions to both the mountains and lowlands of Whatcom County — including frigid wind chills and backcountry hazards such as avalanches.
Arctic air from the Fraser River Valley of British Columbia will begin streaming across Western Washington for several days, dropping daytime temperatures into the 30s and overnight lows in the 20s. Fraser Outflow winds will make it feel much colder.
“Weak to moderate Fraser Outflow is expected to develop Sunday evening resulting in cold wind chill values across Whatcom and San Juan counties,” the National Weather Service said in an online briefing.
As much as 2 feet of snow is possible in the Mount Baker wilderness, and the Northwest Avalanche Center is warning that the new snow will be unstable.
An avalanche advisory is in effect through Sunday night.
“Heavy snow, strong winds, warming temperatures, and the potential for a weaker interface with the old snow will create dangerous avalanche conditions on Friday. Natural or human-triggered avalanches could be large on steep, open slopes by the end of the day. The avalanche danger remains elevated through the weekend,” the avalanche center said.
A lack of snow in January created a “highly variable and potentially weak snowpack,” the avalanche center said. “Active weather including significant snowfall and winds could make these layers unstable. Humans may easily trigger avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person.”
“Friday won’t be a typical storm day. Anticipate unstable conditions and unusual avalanche activity. Stick to low-angle, conservative terrain that limits exposure to slopes that could produce avalanches. If you see widespread signs of instability and avalanche activity, assume high danger and avoid traveling on or below all steep slopes,” the avalanche center said.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
