Live updates: Whatcom County schools closed after weekend snow, icy chill
Schools across Whatcom County are closed Monday after overnight snow and freezing temperatures created icy road conditions, making travel difficult.
Drivers are being asked to stay off the roads in areas from Bellingham to Blaine. Most streets are covered in compact snow and ice.
“City crews have been working overnight to clear snow routes, but residents are urged to exercise caution, as road conditions may be slushy or icy, and travel impacts continue to evolve throughout the day. We will provide updates later this morning if any changes occur,” Bellingham Public Works Department spokeswoman Riley Grant said in a statement early Monday.
A weather pattern called a Fraser Outflow began sending frigid air from British Columbia toward Western Washington on Sunday and the changing conditions caused ice to form on many roads as temperatures dropped from the upper 30s to the low 20s.
“The roads are pretty bad, with a mix of ice and about 6 inches of snow on the ground. It’s a great day to stay home and enjoy the scenery,” Blaine Police tweeted at 3 a.m.
It was 22 degrees with a wind chill of 8 degrees at 7 a.m. at Bellingham International Airport, according to National Weather Service readings.
“There is snow and or ice on a lot of roads out there this morning, especially side roads. Temperatures will not warm up much until late morning. Let’s be careful, take your time, and get to your destination safely,” the National Weather Service tweeted.
City, county and state road crews work around-the clock shifts during snow emergencies.
“Lingering roadway moisture will freeze tonight as temperatures drop, likely resulting in a slippery commute tomorrow. Our crews will continue to plow and treat Whatcom County roads throughout the night. Please help keep them (and everyone!) safe by slowing down, leaving plenty of room, and avoiding slamming on the brakes,” the Whatcom County Public Works Department said on Facebook.
Schools closed
Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley schools had all announced closures by about 6 a.m. Monday.
“Due to unsafe road conditions all Mount Baker schools are closed today,” the district said at its website.
Schools said campus activities and athletics are canceled and no out of district transportation is being provided.
Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College are closed Monday, and Western Washington University delayed classes until 10 a.m. because of snow, according to campus alerts.
Bellingham officials expected that city offices and services would be open.
“We anticipate that all city services will be open as usual (Monday), despite ongoing winter weather conditions. City crews have been working overnight to clear snow routes, but residents are urged to exercise caution, as road conditions may be slushy or icy, and travel impacts continue to evolve throughout the day,” the city of Bellingham said on its Facebook page.
Road conditions are affecting bus routes, the Whatcom Transportation Authority said on its Facebook page.
“WTA is operating service today, but expect delays as many buses are chained, especially on (rural) county routes,” the bus service said.
Bus locations and service alerts are at the bus tracker on the WTA app.
Weekend snow
Snow began falling early Saturday in lowland Whatcom County, but accumulations varied, according to reader observations and social media postings.
Several rounds of light snow followed through Saturday and into Sunday, with areas such as south Bellingham seeing only an inch and locations north of Bellingham getting about 6 inches.
Randy Small of Lynden, who operates the Whatcom County Weather page on Facebook, updated his followers regularly through the weekend with social media posts and live webcasts.
“Snow is coming down like crazy in some parts as seen by radar and northeast wind kicked in. I am expecting more snow in some areas tonight — and drifting snow and icy roads. Monday morning is going to be a struggle,” Small said online just before midnight Sunday.
In a Facebook Live video on Monday morning, Small predicted that the mountains will look gorgeous once the skies clear.
“When Mount Baker comes out, and it will, it’s going to be epic,” he said.
The week ahead
Temperatures will remain seasonally colder through this week, National Weather Service meteorologist Dana Felton said in the online forecast discussion.
More snow is possible, although large accumulations weren’t likely.
“A colder than normal air mass will remain in place over the area. Much below normal temperatures with snow showers at times decreasing in the middle of the week. Temperatures a little warmer for the weekend. Fraser River outflow winds will continue through at least Wednesday,” Felton said.
This breaking news story will be updated as conditions change.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 6:36 AM.
