Gale-force winds expected along Bellingham coast from fall’s first big windstorm
Fall’s first big windstorm is expected to arrive Tuesday evening, prompting warnings for Bellingham-area boaters and coastal residents, meteorologists and Whatcom County emergency officials said Monday.
After a pause Tuesday morning, a blustery week continues with wind and rain increasing later in the day, the National Weather Service said online.
“This will be the first noteworthy system of the season with windy conditions expected (for the) coast and north interior and breezy elsewhere,” the weather service said.
A wind advisory is in effect until 5 a.m. Wednesday, with southeast winds at 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 45 mph. A few power outages are possible.
“Winds will begin to increase after midnight Tuesday as another frontal system approaches the area. This front, which will be stronger, will move through the coastal waters Tuesday night. Winds will increase to gale force across the coastal waters, the east Strait of Juan de Fuca, and portions of the northern inland waters,” the weather service said.
Amy Cloud, spokeswoman for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management, said southeast winds gusting to 40 knots are possible. That’s about 45 mph.
“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. The period of potential concern is Tuesday morning to Wednesday,” Cloud said in an email.
A low-pressure system that’s causing the storm should weaken and move inland Thursday into Friday, allowing winds to decrease.
In the meantime:
- The National Weather Service has issued a gale warning from 5 a.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday for southeast winds at 20 to 30 knots and wind waves 2-3 feet, possibly increasing to 4-5 feet Tuesday afternoon near high tide. “Point Roberts may see the highest waves during this period,” Cloud said.
- Environment Canada has issued a gale warning for the Strait of Georgia south of Nanaimo for Tuesday.
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
