BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – An updated forecast says potentially severe thunderstorms could hit Whatcom County on Wednesday, March 26.

The National Weather Service in Seattle (NWS) says the overall risk of a widespread thunderstorm event across western Washington currently sits between 40% and 70%. The NWS also says the main storm will move into Bellingham at around 8 p.m. and will likely last up to two hours.

The tornado risk has slightly increased in Lewis, Thurston and Pierce counties, though it’s still unlikely.

Most of the severe weather will take place towards King County and southwest Washington, with a slightly lower risk in our region.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management adds that residents should still prepare for the possibility of hail up to 1″ in diameter, wind gusts of up to 50 mph and heavy rain.