It looks like a pretty mild week with some rain and sunny patches mixed in. No flooding is expected at this time, but see our flood safety tips below.
Active Incidents
There are currently no active incidents in Whatcom County.
Advisories, Watches and Warnings
There are currently no advisories, watches or warnings in Whatcom County.
July 24 a drought emergency was declared by WA State Dept of Ecology for Whatcom County.
Whatcom County Inland Weather
Southeast winds will gust up to 30-35 mph for areas near the water Tuesday afternoon.
Conditions will be dry until late Tuesday afternoon when steady showers continue into the night. Tuesday starts off dry with southeast winds gusting up to 30-35mph by areas along the Puget Sound in the late afternoon when scattered showers arrive. Showers increase to steady rain in the evening and last throughout the night with periods of moderate rain at times before tapering off early Wednesday morning. Winds look to remain lighter during this time and lowland temperatures should stay above freezing Tuesday night.
Light, lingering showers are possible until midday Wednesday before conditions dry out for the remainder of the week and into the weekend. Overnight temperatures will trend cooler starting Thursday night and lasting throughout the weekend, where marginal freezes look likely in cold pockets. Thus, the potential for lowland overnight frost looks to continue into the weekend while freezing concerns along Mt.Baker Hwy continue, as well.
Whatcom County Coastal Weather
For the Strait and Inland Coastal Waters off Whatcom County today will be winds coming from the southeast at 5-15 knots, becoming 10-20 knots in the afternoon. Wind waves 1-3 feet. A slight chance or rain in the afternoon. Moving into the evening we will have winds coming from the east at 5-15 knots, becoming west after midnight. Wind waves 2 feet or less. Rain in the evening, then a chance of rain after midnight. Tomorrow winds come from the northwest at 5-15 knots. Wind waves 2 feet or less. A chance of rain in the morning, then a slight chance of rain in the afternoon. For a look at real-time coastal weather and tides you can link here to the Cherry Point NOAA Tide Station.
Air Quality
Visit the Whatcom County Health Department's Wildfire Smoke for up-to-date information and air quality.
Emergency Management Tips and Reminders
CERT Activities
New CERT classes will begin in 2024. See here for more information.
Flood Safety Tips
Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters. Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods can happen during:
- heavy rains,
- when ocean waves come on shore,
- when snow melts quickly, or
- when dams or levees break.
Areas located in the Nooksack River floodplain are subject to regular flooding in Whatcom County. Visit Whatcom County River and Flood for more information.
The National Weather Service issues multiple flood notices ahead of possible flooding.
Flood Notice | Action to Take |
Flood Advisory Issued when a forecasted weather event may become a nuisance. | Check local news radio station KGMI AM 790 Monitor Whatcom Ready on Facebook or the website Be alert to weather conditions |
Flood Watch Issued when conditions are favorable/possible for flooding |
Continue the above actions, and be prepared to evacuate quickly if needed. |
Flood Warning Issued when flooding is imminent or is already occurring |
Continue the above actions and move to higher ground |
Evacuation Levels
Evacuation Level | Action to Take |
Level 1-Get Ready | Be aware of potential threat Monitor Whatcom Ready on Facebook or the website Prepare to move persons with special needs, pets and livestock |
Level 2-Get Set | Move persons with special needs, pets and livestock Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice |
Level 3-Go | Evacuate immediately. Emergency services may not be able to provide further assistance if you stay. |
Turn around, don’t drown! Don’t drive or walk into flooded areas.
The Emergency Management Daily Briefing is produced Monday - Friday unless an update is required for an incident or event over a weekend or during holidays.