Whatcom Div. of Emergency Management warns moored boat owners of forecast winds

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Division of Emergency Management in the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement today, Monday, September 29, 2025.

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 Tuesday morning to Wednesday.  Peak wind gusts may reach 40 knots from the southeast. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning from 0500 Tuesday morning through 0500 Wednesday. The winds will be southeast winds 20 to 30 knots .  Wind waves 2-3 feet, which may increase to 4-5 feet on Tuesday afternoon near high tide. Point Roberts may see the highest waves during this period. Wind waves will remain elevated to around 2-4 feet throughout the day on Wednesday.

Environment Canada has issued a Gale Warning for the Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo for today, tonight, and Tuesday. Winds southeast 5 to 15 knots increasing to southeast 15 to 20 late overnight, then becoming southeast 15 to 25 Tuesday morning. Wind increasing to southeast 25 to 35 Tuesday evening with gusts to 40.   

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Tidal Impact Coastal communities in Whatcom County may see minor impacts from tidal effects as the expected storm surge tide is about ½ foot. Because the winds are predicted to be from the southeast, the effects on most of coastal Whatcom County could be impactful.  The coastal areas of Whatcom County that should have the strongest winds include Point Roberts and Sandy Point. 

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. 
2. Loose objects such as lawn furniture and garbage cans should be secured. 
3. Drivers and persons on the beaches should always be cautious along low lying coastal roads and beaches particularly in Point Roberts and Sandy Point.
4. 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 (Bellingham, Sandy Point, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts are all slightly different). 

Whatcom News readers are encouraged to stay up to date with current weather alerts and forecasts and air quality readings for their specific Whatcom County locations along with tide tables via the Whatcom News Weather page.