Mostly sunny today with light winds and highs around the mid-40s. Cool tonight with frost concerns on roads, bridges and overpasses; temperatures in the low 30s or upper 20s-Newhalem and high elevations. Tomorrow's highs mid to upper 40s; lows mid-30s.
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 until at least March 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.
On March 11th, Governor Inslee announced all of Washington will advance to Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery Plan beginning March 22nd. See the WA State Coronavirus Response website for impacts or any caveats.
Advisories, Watches and Warnings
Weather Around Whatcom County
Whatcom County Inland Weather
So, after a windy wet Sunday, we’re heading into this week with slightly cooler temperatures but we should see mostly sunny skies for the next three days; evening will be mostly clear to partly cloudy. The wind also will be more cooperative and should be light and variable for the most part except for Point Roberts where west/northwest winds are still filtering down the Strait in the 10-15 mph range with gusts to 23 mph. Blaine will see some west winds but they will top out around 13 or 14 mph or so. High temperatures across the county will be mid-40s today, mid to upper 40s tomorrow and mid 50s on Wednesday. Lows will still drop down to the low to mid-30s in most areas of the county so the risk of frost will develop all three evenings. Without any breeze, frost has a better chance of forming on roads, bridges and overpasses, and if you’re walking, watch the sidewalks and wood decking. And of course, higher elevations will be 5-10 degrees colder so that pushes the temperature into the mid to upper 20s with frost or even ice forming from any melting snow. The chance for rain returns on Thursday and Friday but temperatures will still make it to the low 50s.
Rivers and Streams
The Nooksack River level will hold steady until the rains fall on Thursday and Friday and there will be enough precipitation to drive the levels up a foot or two, far short of any flooding, but if you are going to be on or near the river, expect the level to increase.
Whatcom County Coastal Weather
For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County, the next few days will see lighter winds moving from a northwest to a southwest direction but remaining under 15 knots. On Wednesday they’ll switch around to a southeast direction but remain light. Look for Small Craft Advisory velocity winds late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. More on that in the days ahead.
Tides
|
|
|
|
|---|
Date |
|
|
|
| March 15, 2021 | 1354 |
| 2.48 |
| March 15, 2021 | 1955 | 7.40 |
|
| March 16, 2021 | 0136 |
| 3.03 |
| March 16, 2021 | 0751 | 8.61 |
|
| March 16, 2021 | 1425 |
| 1.84 |
| March 16, 2021 | 2048 | 7.39 |
|
| March 17, 2021 | 0212 |
| 3.98 |
Emergency Management Tips and Reminders
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.