Continued rain showers with some dry periods into the weekend. Winds should die down throughout today. Help prevent localized flooding by clearing drains. See below for flood safety tips.
Active Incident
There are currently no active incidents in Whatcom County.
Advisories, Watches and Warnings
There is a winter storm warning for eastern Whatcom County above 4, 000 feet from 4 pm 11/12/24 through 4 pm 11/14/24. See here for more information.
There is a small craft advisory for the Northern Inland Waters of Whatcom County from 7 am 11/13/24 through 4 am 11/14/24. See here for more information.
Visit WhatcomReady.org for updates.
April 16 a drought emergency was declared by WA State Dept of Ecology for Whatcom County. The U.S. Drought Monitor provided by NOAA indicates western Whatcom County is no longer considered in a drought, but eastern Whatcom County is still abnormally dry.
Whatcom County Inland Weather
Frequent showers becomes more spotty for coastal areas by Wednesday morning with an occasional light shower or two remaining possible through the rest of the day (remaining frequent for eastern regions). Rainfall becomes frequent again for locations along the Sound just after midnight on Thursday, continuing through the remainder of the overnight. In addition to the likelihood for rainfall throughout the forecast period, winds are expected to be gusty as well. The strongest winds are anticipated for Wednesday out of the south as high as 35-45mph. Frequent showers continue for much of the region through the day on Thursday before tapering off and ending mostly by the evening.
Most areas remain dry through Thursday night though some lingering light showers may hang around by the coast into Friday morning. These light showers become slightly more widespread by Friday afternoon before tapering off and ending entirely by the evening. Dry weather is then expected through the overnight Friday and much of the day on Saturday before our next system arrives onshore Saturday evening. Snow levels gradually drop from 3,000-3,500 ft from Thursday evening into the weekend, eventually bottoming out at 2,000ft.
Mt. Baker:
Some rain may mix in with snowfall early Wednesday morning, but mainly wet snow is anticipated during this window with up to 8-12" of roadway accumulation possible. Snowfall breaks in coverage slightly by midday Wednesday as a better chance for a rain/snow mix then opens up for Wednesday afternoon (additional 3-6" of road snow). Any rain showers are expected to make the switch back to snow by 6-8pm Wednesday as snow is then forecasted to continue into Thursday morning with another 8-12" of accumulation likely.
Whatcom County Coastal Weather
For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters of Whatcom County today will have winds from the southeast at 25-35 knots, easing to 15-25 knots. Wind waves 3-5 feet this morning, then around 2 feet or less. Rain early this morning, then a chance of rain late this morning. Showers this afternoon. Moving into the evening we will have winds from the south at 15-25 knots, easing to 10-15 knots after midnight. Wind waves around 2 feet or less. Showers. Tomorrow will have winds from the southwest at 10-15 knots, easing to 5-10 knots in the afternoon. Wind waves around 2 feet. Showers. For a look at real-time coastal weather and tides you can link here to the Cherry Point NOAA Tide Station.
Air Quality
Visit the Whatcom County Health Department's Wildfire Smoke for up-to-date information and air quality.
Emergency Management Tips and Reminders
CERT Activities
CERT classes are ongoing. See here for more information and to sign up.
Preparedness Tips
Flood Safety Tips
Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters. Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods can happen during:
- heavy rains,
- when ocean waves come on shore,
- when snow melts quickly, or
- when dams or levees break.
Areas located in the Nooksack River floodplain are subject to regular flooding in Whatcom County. Visit Whatcom County River and Flood for more information.
The National Weather Service issues multiple flood notices ahead of possible flooding.
Flood Notice | Action to Take |
Flood Advisory Issued when a forecasted weather event may become a nuisance. | Check local news Monitor WhatcomReady.org Be alert to weather conditions |
Flood Watch Issued when conditions are favorable/possible for flooding | Check local news Be alert to weather conditions Be prepared to evacuate quickly if needed |
Flood Warning Issued when flooding is imminent or is already occurring | Move to higher ground Check local news and media for emergency info, including evacuation notices |
Evacuation Levels
Evacuation Level | Action to Take |
Level 1-Get Ready | Be aware of potential threat Monitor WhatcomReady.org Prepare to move persons with special needs, pets and livestock |
Level 2-Get Set | Move persons with special needs, pets and livestock Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice |
Level 3-Go | Evacuate immediately. Emergency services may not be able to provide further assistance if you stay. |
Turn around, don’t drown! Don’t drive or walk into flooded areas.
The Emergency Management Daily Briefing is produced Monday - Friday unless an update is required for an incident or event over a weekend or during holidays.
