Whatcom County has a shot at seeing record-high temperatures next week
Temperatures are expected to spike 20 degrees above normal in Bellingham and Whatcom County for several days as the season’s first extended heat wave gets ready to fry Western Washington.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Seattle issued a heat advisory for Sunday and Monday, warning that the mercury is expected to rise well into the 80s and 90s in some areas.
“Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration,” the weather service said in an emailed briefing.
Warmest days are expected to be Sunday and Monday, with cooling breezes arriving Tuesday night.
Daytime highs of 83 and 88 are forecast for Bellingham on Sunday and Monday. The record high temperature for June 14 is 83 degrees, set in 1988. The record for June 15 is 82, set in 1961. Records for Bellingham started being kept in 1948, according to the National Weather Service.
In Lynden, highs of 88 and 89 degrees are forecast for Sunday and Monday.
Condition should return closer to seasonal norms by Wednesday, with a high of 74 predicted for Bellingham. Normal daytime high for mid-June in Bellingham is 68 degrees.
Cold water dangers
Despite the heat, many lakes, rivers and streams in Northwest Washington remain dangerously cold.
“Periods of warm weather in spring and early summer cause snowmelt to increase, causing rivers to run faster and colder than later in the summer,” the weather service said. “Cold water drains body heat up to 25 times faster than cold air. It only takes water as cold as 60 degrees to cause dangerous physiological responses, even for confident swimmers in calm water.”
Fire warnings possible
Red flag warnings are possible for extreme fire danger this weekend.
“Wetting rains earlier in the week will briefly help the fine fuels from reaching critical thresholds this weekend into Monday for red flag conditions,” the weather service said. “Fuels that will be most susceptible to the elevated fire weather concerns are dry/shrubby grassy areas, especially those near roads, as well as piles of dry fuels.”
Burn ban starts
A “Stage 1” burn ban takes effect at 8 a.m. Monday, the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office said in a statement.
“All land clearing and yard debris burning must be discontinued at that time, and all issued burn permits suspended,” the statement said.
Recreational fires are allowed with the landowner’s permission. Recreational fires must meet the following requirements:
- Must only contain seasoned firewood or charcoal.
- Must be contained in an enclosure no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet wide and 16 inches high made of concrete blocks, stones, or steel.
- Beach fires, where allowed, can be dug into an 8-inch pit, surrounded by a 4-inch high enclosure of rocks.
- Fires must be 25 feet from structures, timber and combustible materials.
- A charged garden hose or two 5-gallon buckets full of water and a shovel or rake must be nearby.
- Recreational fires are allowed after dark, if constantly attended by someone 16 years or older.
Fires must be attended until that are cold, and no burning is allowed if when winds are greater than 7 mph.
Lummi Island fire danger high
Whatcom County Fire District No. 11 announced June 8 that all written fire permits for Lummi Island are postponed due to high fire danger.
Residential fires are allowed, but must be less than 4 feet and require a general permit, which is available at the Islander Store or at the Lummi Island Fire website.
