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.

Train Derailment Update.   Incident Number 20-4465 has been assigned to this event.

The U.S. and Canada have extended an order closing their shared border to nonessential traffic until at least February 21, 2021. This includes both vehicular and 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.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings 

A “Small Craft Advisory” is in effect until 4:00am tomorrow morning for east winds 15-25 knots.

Weather Around Whatcom County

Whatcom County Inland Weather

Temperatures over the next couple of days will reach the mid-40s for highs but then drop to around 30 degrees for the low. There is a less than 50% chance of precipitation over the next several days and it could fall in the form of showers or a rain/snow mixture depending on the time of day.  There is no accumulation expected but driving always becomes a concern when such a mixture occurs as you don’t know when or if there may be some slush or freezing to go along with it.  In addition, there will be some wind light in the south part of the county but towards Blaine and also in Nerwhalem gusts could reach 20 mph or a little stronger from the east northeast. The rest of the county could see east/northeast wind around 15mph. Temperatures in the Newhalem area will be about 10 degrees colder in daytime and a few degrees colder at night.  There could be a little snow accumulation as well in the Newhalem area-maybe a half-inch or a little more.

Rivers and Streams

All forks of the Nooksack River are expected to run about the same level they are currently at for the next five days.

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County today and tonight winds today are expected to be in the 20-30 knot range from the southeast continuing from the east tonight at 15-25 knots. Wind waves will be one to three feet. Tomorrow winds will continue to die down to around 10 knots in the afternoon.  Wind waves will be one foot or less.

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Tides

COVID-19

Everyone in Washington State 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.

For those who are tide watchers, these are pretty impressive tides but as happened in the 2018 storm, the tides were pushed nearly two feet higher from the storm pressure (called storm surge) and then the west wind added another 3-4 feet of waves.

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