Surprise Spring Storm Brings Oregon Coast Wind Watch, Surf Advisory

Published 03/27/2010

Yachats

(Oregon Coast) – The Oregon coast never ceases to surprise, especially during spring break. Just as vacationers get used to warmer than usual weather, Mother Nature decides to throw tourists and locals a big curveball with heavy winds and really large waves – a wacky albeit welcome spring storm spectacle. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a bulletin about a high wind watch for the region on Sunday night and Monday morning, bringing strong south winds to beaches and headlands – places that are exposed to such conditions.

The NWS is also issuing a high surf advisory for parts of the south central coast for Sunday.

Waves near Depoe Bay will likely be spectacular (Devil's Punchbowl)

Included in the wind warning are north coast towns like Astoria, Cannon Beach, Rockaway and Oceanside, down through central coast towns like Lincoln City, Newport and Yachats, all the way southward from Florence to Brookings.

“South winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are expected at exposed headlands and beaches,” the NWS said in a bulletin. “Strong winds are expected to develop later Sunday, then decrease by late Monday morning on the central coast.”

The NWS said a high wind watch is defined as the potential for hazardous high winds. Winds sustained at 40 mph or more – or gusts of 58 mph or higher – may happen.

These winds are nothing to most coastal residents, who regularly deal with stronger conditions during the winter. For tourists, it will mean an extra free show at the end of spring break - although some northwest residents will be just hitting the beaches for the beginning of their spring vacation.

Many of Florence's beaches are broad enough to stay away from storm wave risks.

The high surf advisory is more for the southern coast – defined as Florence, Coos Bay, Bandon, Brookings, etc. The NWS office in Medford has issued that advisory, covering 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“An increasing swell on Sunday is expected to generate breakers up to 21 or 23 feet,” the NWS said in its bulletin. This will begin Sunday, but a second, stronger weather front comes in later on Sunday night, bringing another round of big waves.

The advisory could be extended into Monday, maybe even Tuesday.

“A surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.”

Small beaches like this one next to Oceanside will be very dangerous during these high surf events.

This begs another reminder of beach safety, especially for the southern Oregon coast. During these rough conditions, stay off sandy beaches unless there’s plenty of room between you and the tideline. Many of Florence’s beaches are broad enough for this.

Stay off rocky ledges near the waves, as the south coast has plenty of these.

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