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 “Gale Watch” is in effect from 10:00pm this evening until 10:00am Saturday morning for southeast winds 25-35 knots.

Weather Around Whatcom County

Whatcom County Inland Weather

Expect partly sunny skies in the western part of the county to mostly cloudy skies in the eastern portion of the county.  Temperatures will reach the mid 40s with lows dropping to 40 degrees or a little lower tonight.  The next weather system will enter the area tonight and southeast winds along coastal communities will be evident with gusts near 20 mph or a little more. The eastern part of the county will see lighter east/northeast winds through tonight. Rain will also develop tonight and will continue off and on for the next four days. High temperatures will continue to reach the mid-40s in the lower areas of the county with upper elevations 5-10 degrees colder. Lows will drop into the mid to upper 30s at night with higher elevations slipping below the freezing mark.Newhalem, could see some rain/snow mixtures but no accumulation is expected.  

Rivers and Streams

The rain over the next four days is expected to cause the Nooksack River level to rise a couple of feet by Monday and Tuesday next week; however, that level is well below the bank tops.  No issues are anticipated.
  

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County the National Weather Service has now issued a Gale Watch for tonight based on predicted 25-35 knots winds. This will change to a Gale Warning if, and when the confidence level validates that these wind speeds will occur. Monitor marine weather. Winds will be from the southeast tomorrow and drop to 15-25 knots in the afternoon and these winds will continue into Sunday. Look for a “Small Craft Advisory” to be issued for that period. Wind Monday will be from the southeast at 10 knots or less..

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.