WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The National Weather Service Seattle office forecasters expect an atmospheric river to reach western Washington on Sunday bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Initially the heaviest rain will move inland over Vancouver Island Sunday morning with the core of the river sagging south over western Washington in the afternoon. Winds picking up again in the usual locations, north coast and Northwest Interior. This system a little a stronger than the one today so have gone ahead and issued a wind advisory for Sunday in these locations. Atmospheric river sagging south Sunday night with the heavier rain moving over western Oregon. National Weather Service Seattle office (April 8, 2023)
NWS forecasters issued a wind advisory this morning, April 7th, for western Whatcom County due to expected strong winds on Sunday, April 9th.
The advisory will be in effect from 6am to 6pm on Sunday while sustained southeast winds of 20 to 30mph with gusts up to 55mph are expected. The advisory area extends across western Whatcom and Skagit Counties along with San Juan County and the Admiralty Inlet area.
Environment Canada forecasters have issued a weather statement that warns of periods of rain likely easing later today and then become heavy tonight, continuing through most of Sunday.
Current river level forecasts for the Nooksack River show dramatic expected increases as a result of the rain while cresting well below official action levels.