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Oregon Coast Weather to be More Like Winter This Weekend

Large breakers near Depoe Bay

(Oregon Coast) - The weather on the Oregon coast this weekend appears as if it will be more like November than April, with the possibilities of high winds and showers in the forecast, ready to pelt the area with soon.

In the meantime, it’s kite-flying weather on the beaches, with a steady, sometimes high wind knocking things around, but generally just enough to keep the flyers aloft.

The northern Oregon coast is in the midst of a high wind watch, meaning winds gusting up to 60 mph are possible. Forecasters say that will likely change to a high wind warning by Saturday morning. The southern Oregon coast is already in a high wind warning.

The National Weather Service says the warning is in effect through Saturday afternoon on the northern Oregon coast and southern Washington coast, especially on coastal headlands. Exposed beaches may gust as high as 45 mph, and the headlands could get hit with winds as high as 65 mph.

Stormy Nye Beach, Newport

Traveling to the coast may also be a slight problem. There is a snow advisory in the Cascade Mountain Range, which will result in excellent skiing conditions all weekend. But it also means there is the possibility of some snow in the coast range mountains to and from the beaches.

The snow is not likely to stick, however, say forecasters.

Wind-blown Manzanita

In Cannon Beach, Fultano’s Pizza’s David Johnson was looking at dreary skies – and a probably a dreary business weekend. “It’s windy and cold, and the breakers are really white,” Johnson said. “I’ll bet it’s 50 degrees but the wind makes it feel like 40. The clouds are dark, but not too dark. It looks like they’re could be a storm coming. Someone is out there flying a kite.

“It’s probably not going to be a great weekend, unfortunately.”

Danielle Emerick, of Starfish Point in Newport, said it’s been moderately stormy on and off recently. “It’s been dry and cloudy here all afternoon,” Emerick said. “The waves are choppy. We had some strong winds last night, about 25mph. It’s good weather for kite flying: not raining, no sun in your eyes - just enough wind.”

Friday night’s forecast is for showers and steady rain overnight, with rainfall predicted to be near half an inch. Saturday, thunderstorms are possible along with the wind, although the thunder is more likely to happen in the morning and in the evening. Variable clouds are predicted for the evening, with slightly less rain.

Showers are possible on Sunday, with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the low 40’s.

Masssive foam near Yachats in an April storm

The stage is set for some wild, winter wonders to occur. Awe-inspiring oddities can happen a little more often in these conditions, thanks to phytoplankton known as diatoms – the little creatures that create sea foam. Bill Hanshumaker, public information officer for the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, said these tend to bloom in greater numbers in the spring, and seasonal storms can result in incredible sights such as foam so frothy it moves like flurries of snow across the beaches and highways.

Storms are mostly gone on the coast this time of year, but they do happen sometimes – as this weekend illustrates. For more on this subject, see the stories below.

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