Special Weather Statement for Whatcom County
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Whatcom County .A strong low pressure system will bring strong winds and mountain snow to western washington Friday and Friday night...
Much colder weather expected this weekend...
A major change in the weather pattern is expected to begin on Friday as a strong surface low pressure system moves across Western Washington. Strong winds are possible across parts of area but the exact track and strength of the system remains uncertain. however...it does appear at this time that the highest risk for high winds will be along the Washington coast Friday afternoon and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca Friday evening. The combination of snow and wind in the passes is also likely to cause travel problems by Friday afternoon and night.
The upper trough and cold front will pass through the area Friday night. In its wake...much colder air pooled over British Columbia will filter down from the north into the Western Washington lowlands.Cold air from B.C. will come through the Lower Fraser Valley effecting the communities of Sumas,Lynden and Everson in northern Whatcom County.
What will begin as a cold rain for the lowlands of Washington Friday may mix with or change to some wet snow late Friday afternoon and night. At this point it looks like temperatures will be too warm for snow to accumulate at sea level in most the Puget Sound region however...higher hilltops and possibly the Hood Canal area could see
some accumulating snowfall by Saturday morning.
We can expect temperatures to fall below freezing...at least during the night and morning hours...across most of Western Washington beginning Saturday night and lasting through early next week. There is still uncertainty as to just how much cold air will work it`s way down from British Columbia. People should be ready for weather
that is cold enough to cause icy roads...burst outdoor pipes...and endanger pets.
The trough will bring some much needed snow to the Cascades and Olympic mountains Friday through Saturday morning...followed by scattered snow showers over the weekend. Snowfall accumulations are still uncertain but a Winter Storm Watch could be issued later this week. Check with the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
before venturing into the back country.
Western Washington residents should keep informed of the latest National Weather Service forecasts and statements as this situation unfolds by listening to NOAA weather radio or visiting our web page at weather.gov/seattle
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