Active Incidents
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
UPDATES:
ADVISORIES, WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING for west winds 20-30 knots. Where? Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands and Admiralty Inlet.
Environment Canada has issued a "Strong Wind Warning" for the Strait of Georgia-South of Nanaimo. Winds northwest 20-25 knots diminishing to northwest 15-20 knots early this morning and ton northwest 5-15 knots later this morning except soutwest 20 knots south of Tsawwassen tonight. Wind becoming northwest 15-25 knots Tuesday morning then diminishing to northwest 10-15 knots Tuesday evening.
SR-20 (North Cascade Highway) is open; however, there are several areas that will need to have emergency repairs this spring/summer/fall. Traffic control lights are placed at those locations. Long delays should be expected especially over long weekends and holidays. In addition to emergency repairs there are areas where normal road maintenance is scheduled along with several culvert replacements for fish passage. Check WSDOT website for current conditions before traveling.
Inland Whatcom County Weather
The cool wet weather we saw over the weekend will continue into the early part of this week. Expect mostly cloudy skies today with occasional showers. We'll see high temperatures around 60 degrees or a little higher. Newhalem will only get into the upper 40s over the next couple of days so if you're headed that direction, make sure you are taking the appropriate clothing. Lows in the evening will drop to around 50 degrees with Newhalem dropping down to around 40 degrees. We will also see some west/southwest winds. While Bellingham may only see gusts to 20 mph or so, Point Roberts will see gusts to 36 mph tonight and into tomorrow. Other areas of the county will see southwest wind near 20 mph later today. Wednesday will see a little of a rebound in temperatures with highs moving into the upper 60s under partly sunny skies. Then we'll see more clouds on Thursday and Friday with a chance of showers into Friday.
Rivers and Streams
The Nooksack River and small streams are on a downward trend as far as the levels are concerned. And, it doesn't look like any change to that direction for the rest of the work week. Water in the Nooksack will be very cold so if your plans include being on or near the river, remember that hypothermia can occur even if the air temperature is 60 degrees or more as water temperatures will be in the 40-50 degree range. Remember, you can always go to the Public Works website and check the river levels - https://www.whatcomcounty.us/666/Forecasts-Current-River-Conditions.
Whatcom County Coastal Weather
Onshore flow ease Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure builds over the area. A weather system will affect the region late in the week. Winds. Today: W wind 20 to 30 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. A slight chance of showers. Tonight: W wind 20 to 30 kt easing to 15 to 25 kt after midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. A slight chance of showers in the evening then a chance of showers after midnight. Tomorrow: SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. A chance of showers in the morning then a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Tomorrow Night: SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft.
Note: Currently the "Small Craft Advisory" is through 10:00pm tonight; however, 15-25 knots winds are forecast to last into tomorrow. Since these winds are associated with "Small Craft Advisory" levels, it is likely advisory will be extended. Monitor marine weather to keep abreast of these notifications.
Tide Information
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|
|
|
|---|
| DATE | TIME | HIGH TIDE | LOW TIDE |
| June 13, 2022 | 0313 | 9.07 |
|
June 13, 2022
| 1104 |
| -2.86 |
June 13, 2022
| 1903 | 9.35 |
|
June 13, 2022
| 2330 |
| 7.25 |
June 14, 2022
| 0349 | 9.10 |
|
June 14, 2022
| 1147 |
| -3.56 |
June 14, 2022
| 1954 | 9.94 |
|
June 15, 2022
| 0032 |
| 7.54 |
June 15, 2022
| 0432 | 9.02 |
|
June 15, 2022
| 1234 |
| -3.83 |
June 15, 2022
| 2043 | 10.25 |
|
June 16, 2022
| 0135 |
| 7.56 |
Emergency Management Tips and Reminders
Spring
With the type of spring we've been having, vegetation has had exceptional growing conditions. The problem will begin to develop when the wet weather begins to subside and temperatures continue to warm up. As the vegetation dries out, the risk of fire danger begins to increase. Dry vegetation next to one's home or other building can ignite easily and transfer the fire to the structure. Likewise, tall grass and bushed that reach into the trees can act as ladder fuels and enable fire to climb into the trees which can then be moved by embers farther and faster. Now is the time to begin removing excess vegetation before it reaches that higher risk category.
Now also is the time when a lot of us are planting flowers and shrubs around our homes and yards. When selecting flowers or shrubs, it is highly recommended that you plant native flowers and shrubs as these types of vegetation naturally grow here. Plants that are not native may dry out faster, have oils that could produce hotter flames, and ignite faster than native plants. Firewise is a national program that provides some guidance on how to prepare your home for wildfire.
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
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.