WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Get ready for high-speed winds and possible power outages on the night of Dec. 17.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wind advisory for western Whatcom and Skagit counties from 4 p.m. on Dec. 17 through 4 a.m. on Dec. 18.

Forecasters say southeast winds could reach 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Tree limbs blown down by the wind could cause some power outages.

It comes as part of an atmospheric river that will also bring heavy rain to our region through the morning of Dec. 18.

NWS is warning of potential river flooding, but the Nooksack River is no longer forecast to hit the action stage in the coming days.