Gale warning issued for Whatcom County

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management sent out the following weather warning around 9 a.m. Thursday, September 26:

WHATCOM COUNTY COASTAL WEATHER 

Summary: There is a wind warning in effect that may have impacts on the coast of Whatcom County.  Residents with boats in marinas should take preemptive actions to secure their vessels.  People living on the coast should be prepared for high winds.  There is potential concern over Thursday night, into Friday morning.  Peak wind gusts each night may reach 37 knots from the southeast. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning from 1500 Thursday afternoon through 0500 Friday. The winds will be southeast winds 25 to 35 knots.  Wind waves 2-3 feet. The winds should ease up overnight, then shift to the southwest Friday. Because the winds are predicted to be from the southwest the effects on most of coastal Whatcom County could be impactful.  The coastal areas of Whatcom County that should have the strongest winds include Point Roberts, the Lummi Peninsula, Sandy Point, Birch Bay, Birch Point and Point Whitehorn. 

Environment Canada has issued Strong Wind Warning for the Sunshine Coast- Salty Bay to Powell River, East Vancouver Island- Courtenay to Campbell River for today into Friday Morning. Wind southeast 70 to 90 km/h late this evening and into Friday morning. Winds then switch to a westerly flow on Friday during the daytime.

Tidal Impact: Coastal communities in Whatcom County should expect stronger than normal winds. 

Whatcom County Weather 

Our Contracted Weather Service is in line with these wind predictions. 

COMMENTS:  

1.      Boaters should use extra caution in these conditions and vessels in Marinas in Whatcom County should be checked to ensure lines are secure. 

2.      Loose objects such as lawn furniture and garbage cans should be secured. 

3.      Drivers and persons on the beaches should always be cautious along low lying coastal roads and beaches particularly in Birch Bay, Blaine, Sandy Point, and Lummi Island. 

4.      Whatcom County uses the NOAA tide gauge at Cherry Point for the official Whatcom County tide levels, but local tidal levels do vary both in height and timing (Bellingham, Sandy Point, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts are all slightly different).