WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — This morning, November 9th, forecasters in the Seattle office of the National Weather Service upgraded and extended an earlier wind advisory to the high wind warning.
The high wind warning, issued about 2am, warns of sustained 30mph to 40mph southerly winds with gusts to 55mph until 4pm today.
A 50mph south-southeast gust was reported by a Ferndale weather station shortly after 2am today.
The warning area includes western Whatcom County, San Juan County, western Skagit County and the Admiralty Inlet and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca.
A seasonal King Tide of 10.07 feet is expected today and along with it a coastal flood advisory warning of the potential for minor coastal flooding has been issued until noon today.
Whatcom County Emergency Management Deputy Director John Gargett said in an email yesterday that the high winds are expected push the tide level even higher but, as long as winds are not from the west, the combined impacts from the King Tides and wind should be minor. “The coastal areas of Whatcom County that could have the strongest King Tide effects include Sandy Point, Point Roberts, Drayton Harbor, the Lummi Peninsula and Lummi Island.” He added, “Boaters should use extra caution in these conditions and vessels in Marinas in Whatcom County should be checked to ensure lines are secure.”