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 is in effect until 6:00 pm today.  Winds from the southwest at 15-25 knots will cause wind waves of two to four feet.  

Whatcom County Weather

While the National Weather Service is calling for a chance of rain, things aren’t shaping up for that as we look outside.  We will be windy today with south/southwest winds 15-20 mph with gusts near 30 mph.  The winds will shift to the west/northwest later and continue into the evening but not quite as strong.  Temperatures will reach the mid-50s for the most part with lows dropping down near 40.  The sun will be out tomorrow although at Sumas it will be partly to mostly cloudy.  Sunday looks to be a nice day with lighter winds.  Next week we will slip back into a rain pattern.

 Coastal Weather for Whatcom County

The coastal waters off Whatcom County continue to be impacted by the southeast winds in the 15-25 knot range which is the reason for the Small Craft Advisory through 6:00pm this evening.  Environment Canada has issued a Strong Wind Warning for the Strait of Georgia-South of Nanaimo where southeast winds of 20-30 knots are occurring.

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.