Gale warning issued for Whatcom County

Posted

Below is the text of a weather warning that was issued by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office on January 2.

Whatcom County Coastal Weather Warning

Gale Warning Issued – The National Weather Service in Seattle has posted a Gale Warning, from 1000 today (January 2nd) to 1800 Friday, January 3rd.  Winds will build through the day mainly from the southeast this afternoon generally in the 10-20 knot range.  After midnight winds will build with gusts in the 30 to 40 knot range, pretty much along our entire coastline. These winds speeds will remain through most of the day Friday until about 1600 when we may begin to see gusts in the 40 to 50 knot range through the evening on Friday as the winds shift from the Southeast to southerly winds. The winds will shift to a southwesterly / westerly flow later Friday evening before shifting to the Southwest into tonight.   Sustained winds should be in the 30-40 knot range with gusts to 45-50 knots later Friday afternoon, peaking between 1600 and 2000. 

We expect the strongest winds (40 to 50 knot gusts) in Whatcom County between 1600 and 2000 Friday (January 3rd).

This event will impact all the coastal areas of Whatcom County including: Lummi Island, the Lummi peninsula, Sandy Point, Cherry Point, Chuckanut, Drayton Harbor, Blaine, Semiahmoo, Bellingham and Point Roberts.

Environment Canada has issued Gale Warnings for the Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo for the same time frame for today (January 2nd) and Friday (January 3rd). 

A Gale Warning means winds of 34 to 47 knots are imminent or occurring. Operating a vessel in gale conditions requires experience and properly equipped vessels. It is highly recommended that mariners without the proper experience seek safe harbor prior to the onset of gale conditions. 

Tidal Effects - Coastal communities in Whatcom County may see some tidal effects from this event as the winds are southeasterly and will coincide with the high tide at about 1100 Friday morning. The high tides, including storm surge should not exceed 9.1’.  Drivers and persons on the beach should always be cautious along low lying coastal roads and beaches particularly in Birch Bay, Blaine, Sandy Point, Lummi Island and Point Roberts areas.

Shore Side Effects – The National Weather Service in Seattle has also posted a High Wind Advisory from 2200 today (January 2nd) to 1600 Friday, January 3rd. These will be primarily south southeast winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.  As with the marine forecast, we expect the strongest winds (up to 50 mph gusts) in Whatcom County between 1600 and 2000 Friday (January 3rd).  This event will impact all of Whatcom County however it looks like the areas that may get the strongest winds are Lake Whatcom, the Chuckanuts, Lummi Island, the Lummi peninsula, Ferndale, and the eastern foothills including Deming, Everson and the Sumas Valley.

Notes:

1. It is possible that these wind events could cause downed trees and power outages.

2. Persons should prepare for these winds by securing boats, patio furniture and items that may blow around.

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