Bundle up and bring your pets inside: It’s going to be a cold one tonight, Whatcom County. It’s also likely to be the coldest time of the winter yet this year.
The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory through 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. Clear skies and northern winds could have wind chills dipping as low as 10 degrees in Bellingham overnight with near 0 degree wind chills possible for portions of Whatcom County, such as in Lynden.
It won’t warm up until at least Thursday, according to the NWS, with highs near 40.
In response to the anticipated cold weather, the Bellingham Severe Weather Shelter, located at 925 N. Forest St., will be open with check-in starting at 4 p.m. Lighthouse Mission Ministries, located at 1312 F St., is also open with check-in starting at 7 p.m. The Lummi Nation Cold Weather Shelter is open to tribal members.
NWS suggests keeping pets indoors as much as possible during the cold weather and making frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors. If you’re going to use a portable heater, please do so correctly and please do not use generators or grills inside. Take steps to prevent water pipes from freezing such as opening cabinet doors to warm pipes and setting your thermostat about 55 degrees.
If you’re going to be outside, please layer clothing and try to take frequent breaks indoors. Hypothermia can set in quickly, especially with prolonged exposure in cold weather.
Your midweek forecast
Tuesday: Sunny with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 24 and 29. Light northernly wind in the afternoon.
Tuesday night: Clear with a low near 19. Breezy.
Wednesday: Sunny with a high near 39. Wind chill values between 13 and 23. Southeast wind to start the day before becoming calm in the morning.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear with a low near 22. Breezy.
Thursday: Partly sunny with a high near 40. Northeast wind.
Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, low near 26.
This story was updated at 7:04 p.m. Feb. 11 to reflect the new time and date of the advisory.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
