COVID-19 - The “Proclamation of Emergency” signed by the Whatcom County Executive concerning COVID-19 remains in effect. 

Sever Weather Damage 21-18 Emergency Proclamation by the Governor:  Covers the severe wind and rainstorm event that began on November 12, 2021.  https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/21-18%20-%20Severe%20Weather%20Damage%20%28tmp%29.pdf

UPDATE:  

The United States has announced that fully vaccinated, non-citizen travelers with appropriate documentation will be permitted to enter the United States for non-essential travel via land Ports Of Entry and ferry terminals starting on November 8, 2021 and has released this fact sheet to assist those entering the United States. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-travelers-enter-us-land-ports-entry-and-ferry-terminals.

Canada allows fully vaccinated Americans to visit Canada with these Canadian requirements:  https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/gbi-rgf-eng.html.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY for southeast winds 20 to 30 knots. Impacted Area:  Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands.
GALE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON for possible west winds 25 to 35 knots. Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands.
Environment Canada has issues a Gale Warning for the Strait of Georgia-South of Nanaimo.  Winds northeasterly 15-25 knots veering to southeast 10-20 knots early this  morning then increasing to southeast 20-30 knots early this evening.  Wind increasing to northwest 35 knots Friday  morning then diminishing to northwest 25 knots Friday afternoon.  Wind diminishing to light Friday evening.  
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 AM PST THIS MORNING. Minor coastal flooding expected. Minor flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only  isolated road closures expected, if at all.
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST FRIDAY ABOVE 4000 FEET. Heavy snow continued above 4000 feet. Additional snow accumulations of 12 to 40 inches along with winds gusting as high as 55 mph. This includes the Cascade mountains and valleys of Whatcom and Skagit Counties, including Maple Falls, the Mount Baker Ski Area, Newhalem, Lyman, and Concrete. 
Environment Canada has also issued a Winter Storm Warning for areas north of the border including Surrey and Langley. Abbotsford could see and additional 2.5" of snow.
THE NORTHWEST AVALANCHE CENTER IN SEATTLE HAS ISSUED AN AVALANCHE WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE WASHINGTON CASCADES, OLYMPICS AND MT. HOOD. HIGH DANGER FOR THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS, WEST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES FROM HIGHWAY 20 TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER INCLUDING   SNOQUALMIE, STEVENS,AND WHITE PASSES, EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES   FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER, AND MT. HOOD.
TREE WELL ADVISORY FOR ANYONE TRAVELING INTO THE CASCADES. Tree wells are deep which can prevent someone from escaping and result in suffocation. Always travel in pairs and keep a wide distance from trees.

Rising temperatures and rain are forecast for our area today. Temperatures will rise into the low to mid-40s this afternoon accompanied with rain or rain/snow mixtures. Winds will develop from the southeast with gusts near 30mph this afternoon for Bellingham.  Point Roberts will see temps in the 40s with rain and east winds today and tonight changing to northwest tomorrow with gusts near 49 mph tomorrow.  Sumas can expect the snow to taper off later this morning followed by a rain/snow mixture. Winds from the east/northeast today will switch to the south tonight. Wind gusts could get up to 37 mph.  Rain will continue. For the Maple Falls area, snow will turn to rain and winds from the south will increase; gusts to 30mph are possible tonight. Rain is expected tonight with 1-2 inches expected. Newhlaem will see warming temperatures and snow changing over to rain. Rainfall could be 1-2 inches tonight and another 1-2inches tomorrow..

The increased rain on top of snow will add to soil instability due to continued saturation; so, the chances for landslides is also increasing.  When traveling through areas known for landslides, stay vigilant.

Rivers and Stream

Expect rivers and streams to rise over the next couple of days due to the warming temperatures causing melting snow as well as the rain that is in the forecast.  Levels will not rise to the level of any flooding, but they will be much higher than today.  What could cause some urban or water on roadways is plugged culverts and drains.  Some of them were still plugged from the previous storms.

Whatcom County Coastal Weather

A warm front will stall across the area, bringing significant  widespread rain, wind and elevated seas. Another  system arrives  on Friday for a continuation of high winds and seas. A ridge will  build over the waters this weekend leading to lighter winds and  subsiding seas.   Winds.  Today:  SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. A chance of  rain.  Tonight:  SE wind 15 to 25 kt becoming S 20 to 30 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. Rain in the evening then rain  likely after midnight. Tomorrow:  SW wind 20 to 30 kt becoming W 25 to 35 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 4 to 6 ft. Rain in the morning then a  chance of rain in the afternoon. Tomorrow Night: W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after  midnight.  
 

Emergency Management Tips and Reminders

Winter Travel

Winter travel can be extremely dangerous.  Cold temperatures, snow, ice are only a few of the hazards you can encounter when traveling in the the Winter.  Some of the things you should consider are as follows:

Have your car checked to make sure all parts are in good working order.  Tires should have good tread, all lights should be working, and windshield wipers should be changed if they do not provide a clean sweep of moisture on the windshield.

If there is snow on your vehicle, clean as much snow off your vehicle as possible.  Windows should be completely clean for maximum visibility.  Snow left on the hood of your vehicle can blow across your windshield and fog or cloud up inside due to the temperature change (another reason to clean all snow off your vehicle).  Headlights, brake lights, direction lights, etc. should all be clean again to make other drivers see you and know your intentions.

Make sure you have a Winter Safety Kit in you car that contains:  flashlight with extra batteries, cell phone and charger, extra blanket and clothes, high-energy food and water, games to keep children occupied, small shovel, sand or mat for traction if you encounter icy conditions, among other things deemed necessary.

If you are running your car to remain warm, remember to leave a window open to prevent a build-up of carbon monoxide.

Before leaving on a trip, call ahead and let someone know the time you are departing and your route of travel.  Likewise, upon arrival at your destination, let contact know you have arrived.

COVID-19

Information concerning face coverings and other protective actions can be found on the Whatcom County Health Department Website.

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.