Update 4:45am 1/11/17
The High Wind Warning has been extended to 9am today. Forecasters expect “winds will diminish slowly early this morning… then ease more quickly late this morning.”
Update 10:20pm
The High Wind Warning has been extended to 6am tomorrow.
Original Story
A previously issued Wind Advisory has been canceled and a High Wind Warning issued in its place as National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters are expecting stronger wind gusts than previously expected.
There have been reports of utility lines and poles down around the area today leading to at least one local power outage as wind gusts up to nearly 50mph had been reported by 11am.
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A power outage in west Ferndale occurred about 10:15am and left 45 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) customers without power according to PSE. The 11am estimate for restoring their power was 12:30pm.
While wind gusts were initially expected to reach 50mph, an updated forecast led to the issuance of the High Wind Warning as they are now expected to reach speeds closer to 60mph. These winds are expected to continue to get stronger until this evening and then weaken overnight.
According to the latest forecast information, the Fraser Valley outflow is responsible for the significant winds. So areas in its path, north and west of Bellingham, are expected to be hit the hardest. This includes the Ferndale area as well as Lummi Island, Sandy Point and the San Juan islands.
UPDATE 11:34am
A 60mph gust was recorded at a weather station near Ferndale High School at 11:30am, shortly after this story was published.