Forecasters: Expect high winds Monday and rain through the week

The National Weather Service (NWS) Seattle office has issued a High Wind Watch Warning that will be in effect beginning 6am Monday morning and continue through 6pm Monday evening.

Southerly sustained winds of 20 to 40mph with gusts to 60mph possible are expected mainly near shore areas of western Whatcom County, San Juan Islands and Whidbey Island. The strongest winds will probably occur late morning through the afternoon according to forecasters.

According to NWS forecasters, some computer weather forecast models show a low pressure system tracking northeast across the southern tip of Vancouver Island Monday afternoon. If that scenario pans out then there could be high winds across most of Western Washington. But, other computer models predict the low tracking further north across the middle or north part of the island. Forecasters say this scenario appears more likely, hence the High Wind Watch Warning for the coast and northwest interior, including the Ferndale area.

Forecasters also say to expect daily rainfall amounts of around a quarter of an inch starting today through Tuesday. There is a high probability for rain the remainder of the week.

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This story was updated about 1:55pm Sunday, November 12th, to reflect a High Wind Warning that replaced the High Wind Watch initially reported.