Whatcom County's Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center is not activated as of Wednesday, May 13, but residents should be aware of two ongoing advisories that continue to affect the county: a state drought declaration and a small craft advisory for local waterways.

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management issued its daily briefing confirming no active major incidents in the county. However, conditions affecting water supply and near-term weather remain noteworthy for residents and those spending time outdoors or on the water.

A small craft advisory was in effect for the Northern Inland Waters of Whatcom County from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 13. Boaters and kayakers on Bellingham Bay, Lummi Bay, and surrounding inland waters are advised to check current conditions through the National Weather Service Seattle office before heading out, as advisories can change quickly with shifting onshore winds.

The more significant ongoing concern is the statewide drought declaration issued by the Washington Department of Ecology on April 8, 2026. The declaration marks Washington's fourth consecutive drought emergency under the current framework established in 1989 and includes Whatcom County. Low snowpack levels across the Cascades and multiple years of precipitation deficits have contributed to the declaration. The Washington Department of Ecology drought response page has current guidance for water users and landowners.

It's worth noting that while the state has declared a drought for Whatcom County, the U.S. Drought Monitor does not currently list the county in formal drought status. The discrepancy reflects differing methodologies between the two tracking systems. The state's declaration carries regulatory weight and affects water rights holders, whereas the U.S. Drought Monitor is a science-based assessment tool.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, forecasters are tracking an unsettled weather pattern through at least Saturday. Rain showers are expected to develop by Wednesday evening and continue into Thursday morning, with onshore flow keeping low clouds and occasional drizzle through the afternoon. Southwest winds may gust to 30 to 35 mph Wednesday afternoon through early evening, particularly in wind-prone areas near Bellingham and Lynden.

The unsettled pattern is expected to continue Thursday night through Saturday, with the strongest shower activity Friday morning and Friday afternoon into the evening. Drier conditions are expected to return for most of Sunday and into early next week, though the forecast cannot rule out a few afternoon showers Sunday through Tuesday.

Residents who want to stay ahead of any emergency alerts can sign up for WhatcomReady notifications at whatcomcounty.us, where the daily briefing archive is also maintained. The briefings are published each weekday and include inland and coastal weather summaries alongside any active incidents or advisories.

With the drought declaration in effect through what is typically Whatcom County's wet spring season, water resource managers will be watching streamflow and reservoir levels closely as the summer months approach. Residents with questions about their water rights or the drought declaration's impact on local water supply can contact the Washington Department of Ecology's Northwest Regional Office in Bellevue.