First Storm of Season Hits Oregon, Washington Coast Wednesday; Wave Advisory
Published 09/22/20 at 9:41 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff
(Portland, Oregon) – UPDATES: WASH COAST NOW UNDER SURF ADVISORY. Some 15 hours of heavy rains and winds are coming to the western portions of Oregon and Washington, drenching inland cities like Eugene and Portland, but also bringing the first major storm of the season to the coastlines of both states. Washington’s coast is under a wind advisory with the possibility of gusts up around 50 mph, while the north Oregon coast may see gusts around 40 mph. The southern Oregon coast won’t be quite as raucous. (Above: Seal Rock in a storm)
Also, some decent storm watching action should present itself. The Washington coast is now under a high surf advisory for Thursday and Friday, and officials say both coastlines have an increased risk of sneaker waves.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said it will be nine to 15 hours of gusty south/southwest winds and moderate to heavy rain, hitting the coastlines even harder.
“This will then be followed by much cooler and showery conditions later Wednesday night/Thursday,” the NWS said. “Isolated thunderstorms are also possible across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington both with the main frontal band of precipitation and underneath the post frontal cold pool aloft.”
Conditions will start off rather tranquil through the wee hours of Wednesday and then take a turn.
“Rain should begin spreading into southwest Washington and the northern Oregon coastal areas Wednesday morning, and then rapidly spread south and east through the remainder of the day,” the NWS said.
There is a wind advisory for the majority of the Washington coast, in effect from midnight tonight through 5 p.m. Wednesday. South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected, the NWS said. This advisory includes Aberdeen, Queets, Hoquiam, La Push, Clearwater and more.
For the northern half of the Oregon coast, overnight Wednesday will be rainy with wind gusts up to 40 mph, but possibly higher on beaches and headlands. Precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible.
Wednesday during the daylight hours is looking at heavy rains of up to two inches, with a south wind around 25 mph and gusts into the low 40s. Wednesday night continues that pattern for towns like Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Oceanside, Depoe Bay and Yachats.
On the south coast, from Reedsport down through Brookings, winds will be a steady 20 mph or so with gusts up to 40 mph. These calm a bit later in the evening. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.
Thursday through the weekend looks mostly cloudy and fairly rainy on both coastlines, however the southern Oregon coast will clear up to some sunny conditions on Thursday and Saturday.
Through the end of the week you may get to see some good stormy wave action. Offshore seas will be building to 17 feet Wednesday. Then some long period swells kick in and perhaps create the need for caution on the beaches.
“Seas will likely remain elevated through the end of the week as a large westerly swell moves across the waters,” the NWS said. “Seas are expected to be around 12 to 16 feet with a dominant period of 15 seconds Thursday and Friday.”
Check out spots like Yachats, Depoe Bay, Oceanside or just south of Cannon Beach to watch some good wave action against the rocks.
The Coos Bay area will likely see fairly big swells on Wednesday and Thursday, so Shore Acres State Park may put on a show. Waves lessen in height the farther south you go. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - Where to eat - Map - Virtual Tour
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