It’s time to break out the rain boots and heavy rain jackets. Bellingham and Whatcom County will experience the first atmospheric river of the fall season this weekend. Minor flooding in low-lying areas and heavy winds are possible during this time.
The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning from 2 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Saturday with southeast winds between 25 to 35 knots expected and gusts up to 45 knots possible. Areas that could experience the strongest winds include Bellingham Bay, the Lummi Peninsula and Sandy Point. Environment Canada has also issued a Gale Warning for the Strait of Georgia south of Nanaimo.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency management recommends residents with boats in marinas should take preemptive actions to secure their vessels.
The expected storm surge tide is expected to be about 1/2 a foot and coastal communities could see minor impacts.
Because of the periods of moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the weekend, there is a threat urban and small streams could flood, according to NWS, and 2 to 3 inches of rain are possible in Bellingham between Friday afternoon through Sunday night.
Here’s your weekend forecast:
Friday: Rain before 3 p.m. High near 54. Windy with gusts up to 25 mph. Between 1/10 and 1/4 of an inch of new precipitation possible.
Friday night: Rain. Temperature around 51. Breezy with gusts up to 36 mph. Chance of rain 100% with new precipitation amounts between 1/4 and 1/2 inch possible.
Saturday: Rain. High near 61. Breezy with gusts up to 29 mph. New precipitation amounts between 3/4 and 1 inch possible.
Saturday night: Rain. Low near 53. Wind gusts up to 20 mph. New precipitation amounts between 3/4 and 1 inch possible.
Sunday: Rain. High near 62. New precipitation amounts between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch possible.
Sunday night: Rain. Low near 46. New precipitation between 1/10 and 1/4 of an inch possible.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
