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” remains in effect until 11:00 pm today for southwest winds 15-25 knots turning to the west this afternoon.

Environment Canada has issued a “Strong Wind Warning” for the Strait of Georgia-South of Nanaimo; southeast wind 15-25 knots will switch to the northwest at 15-25 knots late this afternoon.

A “Winter Weather Advisory” is in effect until 2:00am March 25th above 2500 feet where five to eleven inches of snow cold fall.  

Weather Around Whatcom County

Whatcom County Inland Weather

Expect rain to continue throughout the county today changing over to showers for tonight.  Highs will be in the upper 40s to near 50. Southerly winds will shift to the west with gusts around 20 mph. Lows tonight will be near 40s degrees. Tomorrow we’ll see decreasing clouds and partly sunny skies around the county with highs around 50 degrees with partly cloudy skies tomorrow night and a low in them id-30s.  Winds will be from a southerly direction under 10mph. Point Roberts will see decreasing rain turning to cloudy skies as the day progresses and then a chance for showers to return tonight.  Highs will be in the upper 40s with lows tonight around 40 degrees.  The wind will be gusty in Point Roberts for the next 36 hours or so coming out of the northwest in the 25-35 mph range.  Blaine is going to mirror Point Roberts except the wind gusts will be a little bit weaker. Sumas and Maple Falls will also see rain and wind today but the wind will be under 15 mph tonight from the south.  Maple Falls could see periods of heavy rain today.  Newhalem looks to avoid most of the wind but the temperatures today will not reach 40 and tonight will be near the freezing level.  Tomorrow will be partly sunny and cool with highs topping out near 43 degrees.

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 south wind will switch to the west at 15-25 knots until after midnight when they will ease to 10-20 knots.  Wind waves will calm down to one to three feet. Tomorrow, northwest winds will increase to 15-25 knots and two to four-foot wind waves.  Look for a Small Craft Advisory to be issued for that period. The wind will die down in the afternoon to 5-15 knots with wind waves of two feet 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.

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