A month’s worth of rain in three days? Flood watch issued for Nooksack River
A flood watch was issued Friday for the Nooksack River as Western Washington is likely to take the brunt of a series of warm and moisture-laden storms sweeping in from the South Pacific in a phenomenon called an atmospheric river.
It could give Whatcom County a month’s worth of rain in less than a week, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“Heavy rain will begin to arrive early on Monday and continue through early Tuesday,” the National Weather Service said in its Friday night forecast discussion. “The main moisture plume looks to briefly sink southward on Tuesday, allowing for a brief lull in the heavy rain before another punch of moisture brings back the heavy rain on Wednesday.”
Latest rainfall estimates show the possibility of 3 to 5 inches across the interior lowlands from Monday to Wednesday, and more than a foot of rain in the mountains. Average December rainfall for Bellingham is 4.3 inches.
“Flooding is likely; not just the rivers, but also urban/small stream flooding as well,” the weather service said.
A Friday update from the Northwest River Forecast Center shows the Nooksack River cresting Thursday above flood stage in Ferndale.
Strong southwest winds will accompany the storms, with gusts in the 25-35 mph range from Saturday through Wednesday.
This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM.
