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 Warning” continues in effect until February 12th at 11:00am for northeast winds 30-40 knots. Environment Canada has also issued a Gale Warning for the Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo.

A “Wind Advisory” is in effect through February 12^th for northeast winds 25-35 mph with gusts to 50mph at times. 

Weather Around Whatcom County

Whatcom County Inland Weather

A few days of cold weather lay in front of us.  Today some parts of the county will be partly sunny while other parts are mostly cloudy.  Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy.  High temperatures will range from around 30 in Bellingham down to low 20s in Newhalem. Lows will drop into the teens in most parts of the county tonight and even some single digits in Newhalem. There will also be east/northeast winds with gusts to 40mph or a little stronger especially in the northern part of the county driving wind chill temperatures into the single digits. Other areas will experience wind but not nearly as strong. The foothills may see a dusting of snow but chances are slight for today.  On Saturday the chance for snow with an accumulation of an inch in the lowlands and a couple of inches in Maple Falls and Newhalem increases.  Environment Canada has declared an Arctic Outflow Warning punctuating the rising surface pressure causing the strong east/northeast winds and lower temperatures.

Rivers and Streams

All forks of the Nooksack River will continue to slowly drop in river level thanks to the colder temperatures and lack of precipitation over the next five to ten days.

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County expect northeast winds to continue through Friday with 25-35 knots winds today and 30-40 knots winds tonight and lasting into tomorrow before dropping back to 25-35 knots after midnight Friday. Winds on Friday will be from the northeast at 20-30 knots and then 15-25 knots in the afternoon.  The current Gale Warning will likely be followed by a Small Craft Advisory into Saturday.   Continue to monitor marine weather for developments.

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.

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