It’s 6am. Good morning!
Stuck on the road/air/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) at 360-223-1438 and we can look into it.
TRAFFIC
A new Bellingham street, an extension of Birchwood Avenue connecting Squalicum Parkway with James Street under I-5, is now open to all traffic.
Birch Bay-Lynden Road remains closed between Kickerville Road and Portal Way due to a washout (repairs are underway). It is anticipated temporary fixes will allow the road to reopen by the end of February.
Repairs at various locations on Mount Baker Highway (SR542) continue and are expected to be completed soon.
S Pass Road remains closed approximately 0.1 miles east of North Pass Road due to an active landslide. Repairs are underway and once complete, possibly by the end of February, the road will reopen to single-lane traffic.
North Fork Road remains closed to the public 2 miles north of Mosquito Lake Road due to a washed out a section of road temporarily repaired with gravel. It is expected to be reopened once paving can occur this spring. Until then, everyone should avoid this route if at all possible.
Everson Road (SR544) has a speed reduction (25mph) at the Nooksack River bridge while both lanes remain open. WSDOT says this “will continue until a new bridge can be designed and built.”
Goshen Road remains closed approximately 500 feet west of Roberts Road due to flood damage. It is hoped to be able to reopen the road for public use mid-February.
Drayton Harbor Road, immediately west of Shintaffer Road, continues to erode after heavy rain and high tide events. A single lane of the road is open with a stop sign at both ends.
The road to Artist Point from the Heather Meadows Day Lodge at the Mount Baker Ski Area is closed to vehicle traffic for the winter season.
It is snowing this morning with compact snow and ice reported in places on Mount Baker Highway with traction tires advised and oversize vehicles prohibited.
Readers are encouraged to stay up to date on local driving conditions via the Whatcom News Traffic page.
TRANSIT
Whatcom Transit Authority fixed route and flex service buses will be running on regular routes and schedules. Monitor the WTA interactive map through the day.
The Lumi Island ferry is operating on its regular schedule.
Tomorrow, February 2nd, is a punch card sale day from 5:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. at the island-side ferry terminal ferry office. All types of ferry punch cards will be sold, including those for current needs-based customers. Payments may be made by check, US money order, or credit card. No cash accepted.
Bellingham International Airport flights are arriving and departing without local delays
WEATHER
There are currently no active weather alerts.
General western Washington forecast from the National Weather Service says a colder airmass will work its way into the region today as high pressure builds east of the Canadian Rockies and slides into the Northern Plains later today. In response to this, light to moderate Fraser Outflow will develop and filter a modified Canadian airmass into the region. Expect rain showers to persist in the lowlands, with snow showers generally around or above 500 feet. A few snow showers will be possible below 500 feet in any heavier precipitation rates within the convergence zone today.
Expect a widespread freeze tonight, with temperatures falling into the upper 20s to low 30s by early Wednesday morning.
Western Whatcom County
Breezy and cloudy with a 30% chance of rain and/or snow in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Early morning snow potential after light winds shift from westerly to northeasterly. Highs in low 40s near the water and upper 30s to the east.
Eastern Whatcom County
Cloudy with 30% chance of snow before 7am then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s to 30s. East-northeast wind about 5 mph. Less than a half-inch new snow.
Whatcom County Coast
Onshore flow will continue to ease today and turn briefly offshore tonight. East to northeast winds may rise to the low end of the small craft advisory strength range for the northern inland waters tonight.
Whatcom News readers are encouraged to stay up to date with the current weather forecast for their specific locations via the Whatcom News Weather page.
I like your Traffic, Transit, and Weather morning addition. It’s very informative and concise.
Thank you!!!