These Daily Briefings on Incidents, Advisories, Watches and Warnings, current weather and Emergency Management tips are published Monday through Friday, as well as during times of increased awareness or actual events.

Active Incidents

The U.S. and Canada have extended an order closing their shared border to nonessential traffic. The move delays the border’s reopening by another 30 days, until at least November 21, 2020. This includes both vehicular traffic as well as recreational boating between the countries.

The “Proclamation of Emergency” signed by the Whatcom County Executive concerning COVID-19 remains in effect. Information about Whatcom County’s response to COVID-19 is available at the Joint Information Center’s COVID-19 website. 

Whatcom County is in Phase 2 of the Washington Safe Start Plan. Highlights of this phase include: social distancing, wearing a mask, and limiting the size of groups are the guidelines of Phase 2. More info about Phase 2 in Whatcom County can be found here, and updates can be found here.

Washington state has implemented a cloth mask mandate requiring the wearing of a mask in public indoors and wherever a social distance of six feet cannot be maintained outdoors. More info can be found here and here.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings: 

There is a small craft advisory that went into effect shortly after 2:00am this morning and will remain in effect until 11:00am this morning.  South winds 15-25 knots will cause two to four foot wind waves.

Whatcom County Weather

The weather today will be cloudy with a chance of a spot shower here and there.  Winds will be a little gusty this morning from the south/southeast in the 15-20 mph range.  The higher elevations will not see the peak gusts.  The wind will begin to die off slowly after noon.  Temperatures will reach high in the mid-50s today with low in the mid-40s tonight.  Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with highs about the same as today.  A chance for some showers or rain returns on Friday and it could be breezy once again with the passing of the weather system.

 Coastal Weather for Whatcom County

The coastal waters off Whatcom County will see the small craft advisory with those 15-25 knot winds.  Those winds will drop after 11:00 am and should be in the 5-15 knot range tonight with wind waves of two feet or less

Here are a few emergency management reminders:

COVID-19: Everyone in Washington State, including Whatcom County, is directed to wear a face covering while at any indoor public space and any outdoor public space where you may be within 6 feet of someone who does not live with you. You can find more info about face coverings and other protective actions here and here.

Driving

If you haven't put your  Winter Emergency kit in your car, now is the time to do so.  Having an extra blanket, flashlight, small shovel, food and water are just a few of the items you should consider placing in your kit. The Washington State Department of Transportation has a list of items that you should consider having in your emergency kit.

Communicate your travel plans and let a friend or family member know when you are leaving and when you arrive.

Encountering frost on roads and bridges can occur anytime.  Colder temperatures at higher elevations can cause frost or black ice to form on roads and bridges.  Wind can create wind chills that drop temperatures below freezing. 

Scrape the ice and snow from all the windows on your vehicle.  And if you have snow on the hood, remove that to.  Snow blowing across a warm windshield will cause condensation and restrict your visibility. 

This briefing line is not updated on weekends unless an incident occurs.