Freezing weather affecting schools across Whatcom County. More snow possible Thursday
Below-freezing temperatures and snow across the Whatcom County lowlands continue to affect schools Thursday, causing some to close and others to delay the start of classes and limit bus routes.
Many main roads in Bellingham and Interstate 5 were snow-free, according to traffic cameras and social media reports. But overnight freezing temperatures were likely to cause slippery conditions and a phenomenon called black ice.
“Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning commute,” the National Weather Service said in an online advisory.
“Additional snow showers are expected through Thursday morning across portions of Western Washington. Locally moderate to heavy snow is possible tonight,” the National Weather Service office in Seattle tweeted.
Thursday morning’s forecast called for mostly cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of snow showers and a high near 38. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch is possible. Wind chills were expected between 21 and 31 degrees and north winds less than 5 mph.
Ferndale and Blaine school districts closed Thursday. All campus activities and athletics are canceled, and there will be no out of district transportation.
Two-hour delayed starts were reported for Lummi Nation, Lynden, Meridian and Mount Baker. Morning buses are on snow routes.
Bellingham schools were on time with buses on snow routes, the district reported at its website. Nooksack Valley schools are on time with modified snow routes.
Western Washington University said that classes are delayed until 10 a.m. because of snow.
Whatcom Transportation Authority is operating most services Thursday morning. Some delays are expected from fresh snow on roads, according to the transit agency’s online bus tracker.
No flight delays were reported at Bellingham International Airport.
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM.
