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.

The U.S. and Canada have extended an order closing their shared border to nonessential traffic until at least April 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.

All Washington counties advanced to Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery Plan on March 22nd.  See the WA State Coronavirus Response website for impacts or any caveats.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings 

A “Small Craft Advisory” will go into effect Wednesday morning at 5:00am and remain in effect until 2:00pm Wednesday afternoon for south winds 15-30 knots.

Weather Around Whatcom County

Whatcom County Inland Weather

We will see partly sunny skies today with a high at or near 50 degrees. A southerly breeze in the neighborhood of 5-7 mph may be around.  Tonight, things will cloud up and the chance for showers will develop.  Lows tonight will be 39 degrees; higher elevations will 5-7 degrees colder.  Tomorrow, expect rain during the day dropping off to a chance for rain tomorrow night. The high once again tomorrow will be near 50 degrees.  We can expect some south/southeast wind during the day with gusts to 25 mph or a little stronger along the coastal communities; the wind will drop off considerably later in the day.  Thursday, we’ll be back to partly sunny skies during the day and partly cloudy skies Thursday night. High temps again around 50 degrees with lows ranging from the mid to upper 30s.  Unfortunately, Point Roberts will see more of the winds with gusts from the south tonight and tomorrow near 35 mph and then switch to the northwest tomorrow night with gusts still around 35 mph. Finally, on Thursday, they’ll start to drop off but still there will be gusts near 25 mph.  Blaine and Sumas will see gusts in the 20-25mph range with a higher gust from time to time from the south tonight and tomorrow. Newhalem will see rain/snow mixtures as the high and low for the next couple of days will remain in the 30s but the winds will be in the 5-10 mph range from a southerly direction.

Rivers and Streams

The Nooksack River level will remain pretty close to where it is right now.  The rain may push it up a few inches or a little more, but other than that, there will be no other impacts.  

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County wind today will be from the west 5-15 knots causing two foot or less wind waves. Tonight southerly winds will increase to 10-20 knots and the 15-25 knots after midnight. Wind waves will increase to two to four feet. Tomorrow, there will be south wind 20-30 knots becoming southwest in the afternoon and dropping off 10-20 knots.  The wind could pickup again to 15-25 knots Wednesday night so be prepared for another Small Craft Advisory to be issued.

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.