Snow update: Icy streets in Whatcom as schools cancel Friday classes; WWU to open

Bellingham and other Whatcom County schools are closed for a third straight day Friday as streets are a mix of slush, snow and ice and a slow thaw began after more than week of freezing temperatures in the lowlands of Northwest Washington.

Rain is forecast for later Friday, along with gradually warming temperatures and a high of 43 degrees in Bellingham after a week-long arctic chill. Three-day lowland snowfall ranged from 8 inches to more than 11 inches, with higher totals in the western and northern parts of Whatcom County that were exposed to the frigid air blowing from the Fraser River Valley of British Columbia.

That amount of melting snow could cause localized flooding, the city of Bellingham said online.

“Use caution if you encounter water on the roadway, obey street closure signs, do not drive around barricades and do not drive through standing water over the road even if there is not a sign. Clear storm drains to help prevent flooding if you are able,” the city said.

Residents are asked to stay off the roads, which are mostly covered with compact snow and ice as freezing rain fell overnight and the mercury hovered in the low 30s around Bellingham at 6 a.m.

“We do have compact snow and ice in places and black ice is possible as temps were below freezing overnight” the Washington State Department of Transportation tweeted at 6:30 a.m. Friday.

“Morning report from crews is that the roads continue to improve. They’re back out this morning to help clear the way,” WSDOT tweeted.

Whatcom Transportation Authority buses are running Friday with some detours because of icy conditions on hills and areas east of Bellingham, according to a 5:30 a.m. tweet.

“More to come as the roads thaw. Operations supervisors have been out looking at road conditions since 4 am. We apologize for the inconvenience,” WTA said.

Public works crews and others in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County are working around the clock on 12-hour shifts to keep main roads open.

“Continue to use caution when out and about today. Arterial streets are mostly wet and slushy this morning and crews will start to address side streets, starting with steep streets and moving out from there,” the city of Bellingham said online.

Police in Abbotsford. B.C., just north of Sumas, warned of slippery conditions on social media.

“We strongly encourage everyone traveling this morning if necessary to slow down. Lots of ice on the road, on the highways on the feeder routes. We want you to get from Point A to Point B safely,” Sgt. Walker said in a Facebook video.

About 1,000 Puget Sound Energy customers are without power in scattered outages early Friday, including Lummi Island, south Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish and south Bellingham.

Bellingham International Airport was open and operating normally, the Port of Bellingham said on its social media.

“It’s safe to say the worst is behind us. We battled freezing rain throughout the night but conditions have vastly improved this morning. The runway continues to remain open and flights are operating,” the Port said.

A warming center at 1013 W. Holly St. will be open Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the city of Bellingham said online.

Friday classes are canceled for schools in the Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley and Lummi Nation districts said Thursday. Lynden Christian schools are closed Friday because of a regularly scheduled day off. Whatcom Intergenerational High School also canceled Friday classes.

Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College are closed Friday.

Western Washington University said Thursday that its campus will open Friday. However, officials announced Friday morning that the university will open at 10 a.m. Friday. Classes prior to 10 a.m. are canceled, and WWU is suspending operations until 10 a.m. except for essential personnel. Classes and normal operations will resume at 10 a.m.

A warm front approached Western Washington on Friday, and there were reports of sleet in addition to rain and snow, especially in Whatcom county overnight Thursday, the National Weather Service in Seattle said online.

“This has fairly widespread precipitation spread across the region, moving from south to north. Only a few lingering pockets of near or sub-freezing temperatures (remain) across Whatcom County.” meteorologist Matthew Cullen said online.

“It will take some time for the residual ice to thaw in the places where it remains, so areas like North Bend, the northern Olympic Peninsula, and Whatcom County can expect another morning with variable and potentially icy conditions.” Cullen said.

Mountain conditions

Mt Baker Ski Area is open for normal weekday operations at the White Salmon base.

“We are expecting rising freezing levels over the course of the day along with some precip. There are some light to moderate winds expected, so get your best Mt. Baker Storm Boarding gear and low light lenses ready,” the ski area said at its website.

Mount Baker Highway is bare and wet with compact snow and ice in places at the 4,250-foot level, WSDOT said online. Traction tires are advised and oversize vehicles are prohibited.

Backcountry avalanche danger is “considerable,” the Northwest Avalanche Center said online.

PeaceHealth clinics

Several Bellingham PeaceHealth clinics either are closed Friday or will be closing early:

▪ PeaceHealth Grabow Therapy and Wellness Clinic is closed.

▪ PeaceHealth Same Day Care at Medical Office Plaza, 3015 Squalicum Pkwy., Suite 140 will close at 5 p.m.

▪ PeaceHealth Same Day Care at Cordata Main, 4545 Cordata Pkwy., will close at 5 p.m.

▪ PeaceHealth specialty services will close at 5 p.m.

▪ PeaceHealth adult and pediatric clinics normally open for after-hours care will also close at 5 p.m.

▪ PeaceHealth specialty services closed at 2 p.m.

YMCA childcare open

The Whatcom Family YMCA said it is opening Friday with delayed hours for its downtown gym and early learning centers downtown, in Barkley and at Heart House, according to its website. A BASE “snow day” is available first-come, first-served and the teen drop-in center is open. All climbing classes, fitness classes, swim lessons and youth sports are canceled.

City services

Arne Hanna Aquatic Center has a delayed opening of 11 a.m. All other recreation programs are canceled, the city of Bellingham said in an email.

Restrooms at Cordata, Lake Padden and Maritime Heritage parks remain closed because of frozen pipes and snowy conditions. Lake Padden Golf Course and Bayview Cemetery are closed.

Additional city services, such as building inspections, may be delayed depending on road conditions.

Bellingham Municipal Court is also running all court calendars.

Libraries, museums

All branches of Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom Museum Old City Hall and Lightcatcher galleries are open for regular hours Friday.

In the Whatcom County Library System, branches in Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, North Fork, and South Whatcom are opening at noon.

No trash pickup

Sanitary Service Company is suspending all trash and recycling collection service for Friday because of road conditions on side streets, hills and alleys.

“If today is your service day, we will take additional garbage, recycling or FoodPlus! on your next service day at no charge,” SSC said at it website.

▪ Lummi Nation School also announced Thursday afternoon that all Friday classes are canceled “due to inclement weather potential for snow/freezing rain.”

▪ Blaine School District: No classes or out-of-district transportation.

▪ Lynden Christian School was closed Friday because of a regularly scheduled teacher work day.