Gale warning issued for Saturday and Sunday

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management issued the following coastal weather warning  the afternoon of Friday, October 24. 

Summary: Residents with boats in marinas should take preemptive actions to secure their vessels.  People living on the coast should be prepared for high winds.  The period of potential concern is Saturday evening through Sunday morning.  Peak wind gusts may reach 25-35 knots from the southeast. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning from 1800 Saturday through 0400 Sunday. The winds will be southeast winds 25 to 35 knots.  Wind waves 3-4 feet. The effects on coastal Whatcom County could be impactful. The coastal areas of Whatcom County that should have the strongest winds include Lummi Peninsula, Bellingham Bay, Birch Point and Point Whitehorn. 

Environment Canada has issued a Gale Warning for the Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo for Saturday afternoon. Winds from the southeast 30 to 35 knots.  

Whatcom County Weather 

Tidal Impact Coastal communities in Whatcom County may see minor impacts from tidal effects as the expected storm surge tide is negligible. 

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. 

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

1. Drivers and persons on the beaches should always be cautious along low lying coastal roads and beaches. 

1. 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. 

Updates are posted as needed on whatcomready.org and in the Emergency Management Daily Briefing.