Schools close as more lowland snow, freezing rain possible across Whatcom County
Schools and libraries remained closed and government agencies and business services were limited for a second day Thursday after snow and ice paralyzed Whatcom County amid a relentless arctic chill.
Snow began falling across Whatcom County about 10 a.m. Thursday, and the National Weather Service in Seattle issued a winter weather advisory for additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches through Thursday night in Bellingham and the Whatcom County lowlands.
“Plan on slippery road conditions and reduced visibility in heavier snow showers. Light ice accumulation is possible in areas of freezing rain,” the weather service said online.
Residents were asked to stay off the roads, which were mostly covered with compact snow and ice Thursday from a storm that brought freezing rain and about 8 inches of snow to Bellingham on Wednesday.
Snowfall totals varied across the western Whatcom County lowlands, with some areas reporting more than 10 inches on the ground at 7 a.m. Thursday, according to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, a citizen science data collection website.
“We have every available resource deployed (and) this is helping clear snow as fast as possible. Please stay home if you don’t need to be out,” Whatcom County Pubic Works spokeswoman Mandy Feutz told The Bellingham Herald.
Conditions were similar in Bellingham and elsewhere throughout Whatcom County on Thursday morning, where public works crews and others were working around the clock on 12-hour shifts.
“Continue to limit travel to essential trips only. If you must travel, give plows plenty of room to do their jobs, clear your car of snow, give yourself extra time and drive for the road conditions and within your abilities,” Bellingham spokeswoman Riley Grant said at the city’s website.
More light snow and freezing rain or rain was possible Thursday afternoon into Friday morning as a stubborn Fraser Outflow eased but still kept temperatures below seasonal norms, the National Weather Service in Seattle said online.
It was 28 degrees and clear with northeast winds gusting to 25 mph at 7:05 a.m. Thursday at Bellingham International Airport.
Daytime temperatures in the mid-40s were expected across the Whatcom County lowlands on Friday, with snow levels rising above 4,000 feet.
“This will lead to a cold rain becoming the dominant precipitation type for most locations,” the weather service said.
Travel
Whatcom Transportation Authority resumed bus service countywide on Thursday morning, but with a few limits.
“We plan to start up at the regular time (Thursday with) some detours, and — since we’ll be all chained up — some delays,” WTA spokeswoman Maureen McCarthy said.
Route 1 was staying on Boulevard in both directions between downtown and Fairhaven, and Route 512 to Sudden Valley was staying on Lake Whatcom Boulevard in both directions, avoiding Lake Louise Road. No Flex Service, Zone Service or Lynden Hop Service was available.
WTA service halted at noon Wednesday for the first time in nearly 30 years.
No flight delays were reported online at Bellingham International Airport after airlines posted several delays Wednesday.
Closures
Thursday’s classes were canceled for schools in the Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley and Lummi Nation districts. Lynden Christian schools are closed.
Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University canceled classes.
Bellingham City Hall was open.
Bellingham’s daytime warming shelter was open at 1013 W. Holly St.
All Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom Museum locations were closed Thursday. All Whatcom County Library System locations remained closed, including its administrative services building. Bookmobile stops in Wickersham and Lake Samish were canceled.
The Whatcom Family YMCA was closed, along with its early learning programs, before- and after-school care, and youth programs. The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center was closed.
Many park openings were delayed, and some parks could remain closed. Many areas have ice- and snow-covered spots and there may be downed trees and branches, the city said.
Building inspections may be delayed, and Bellingham Municipal Court services may be limited or postponed, the city said at its website.
The Washington State Department of Transportation closed both directions of Pole Road between Hannegan Road and Noon Road on Thursday near Everson after several collisions and spinouts.
“Snowplows will help clear the roadway once they are available to do so. There is no estimate how long this closure will last,” WSDOT said in a email.
Mountains
Mount Baker Ski Area was open Thursday, with 1 1 inches of snow the previous day.
Traction tires are advised on the Mount Baker Highway, where WSDOT reported Thursday that the road was bare and wet with compact snow and ice in places at 4,250 feet.
Avalanche danger is at the “considerable” level in the Mount Baker wilderness, the Northwest Avalanche Center reported at its website.
