UPDATE 10:45am
Winds have fallen off substantially during the past hour. Gusts have dropped from the mid-40 MPH range to the mid-20 MPH range. Even so, the High Wind Warning remains in effect until 3pm this afternoon.
UPDATE 9:30am
As if on schedule, rain began falling in earnest at 9am. Mixed with the high winds it appeared as horizontal rain. Wind gusts have not returned to over 60 MPH, instead have stayed below 50 MPH during the past half hour.
UPDATE 8am
Gusts over 60 MPH have been recorded in Ferndale since 7:45am. At 7:30am, fire units responded to report of a tree in the power lines with sparking by the U-Haul business on Barrett Road north of W Smith Road.
Original Story
The wind forecast for today, Tuesday, December 8th, is the same as what preceded Sunday evening’s wind storm.
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Click for more informationThis morning the National Weather Service replaced their Wind Advisory with a High Wind Warning. In it they predict southerly winds at 25 to 35 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH possible. The warning is in effect until 3pm today.
As of 7am, gusts near 40 MPH had been occurring regularly since 5am.
Today’s weather forecast also calls for heavy rains locally and in the mountains. A half to one inch of rain is expected today locally. Surface water flooding is possible in low lying areas and roadways.
With the heavy rains and a rising snow level expected in the mountains today, the Nooksack River at Ferndale is forecast to crest one foot beyond flood stage Wednesday night. The forecast predicts the river will reach 17 feet, the point when the river begins flooding adjacent low lying pastureland, by this evening. The NWS has issued an Areal Flood Watch.
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At the forecast river levels, road closures are possible beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday through Friday including Slater Road, Marine Drive and Paradise Road at Barrett Road. Drivers are advised to be alert for water and debris over roadways and to obey road closed signs.