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: 

A Small Craft Advisory goes into effect from 0200 to 1800 tomorrow. October 30th.  Winds from the south will increase from 5-15 knots to 20-30 knots.  Wind waves will build from two feet to three to five feet. 

Whatcom County Weather

The weather across the county today will be mostly cloudy with some showers near the foothills.  The chance for rain will increase overnight and continue throughout tomorrow.  While winds are light now, we can expect them to increase this evening from the south with some gusts getting near 40 mph especially in the north and lowland areas.   Temperatures will reach into the 50s today, drop to the mid 40s tomorrow and then be about five degrees colder tomorrow.   We could see some upper 30s for lows beginning Friday night

 Coastal Weather for Whatcom County

The coastal waters off Whatcom County will see increase winds this evening.  The Small Craft Advisory has already been issued.  Environment Canada has issued a Strong Wind Warning for the Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo for winds 20-30 knots.

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.