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Subtle Signs of Spring This Week on Oregon Coast

Cape Lookout State Park

(Oregon Coast) – It promises to be a fairly sunny Valentine’s Day and three-day weekend on Oregon’s Pacific playground, but perhaps not necessarily a particularly warm one. Although, the lack of wind and the usual mild conditions of the Oregon coast could spell out a few days of weather that feels remarkably warm – undoubtedly warmer than the inland valleys.

Small signs of spring have been popping up all over the Oregon coast this past week, after the snowstorms that laid layers of white onto the coast range passes had passed, and February gave way to the usual display of statistically warmer weather for the beaches.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and the big President’s Day Weekend is ahead for the region, meaning more visitors than usual in the dead of winter. But as always, the weather cooperates in interesting ways in February, creating a kind of mini-spring, thanks to the milder climate of the coastal region.

Arch Cape, with a heavy dose of cloud cover doing interesting things

Still, subtle signs of spring began this past weekend, as coastal business folk noticed less rain, snowy coast range passes and inclement weather than usual.

In Depoe Bay, Trollers Lodge owner Peg Leoni said spring is indeed making an appearance in little ways. “Spring arrives a little earlier on the central coast than in the valley,” she said. “People forget we have a more moderate climate than other parts of the state. I’ve had a potted azalea outside all winter that never lost all its flowers, but spring is certainly in the air. The daffodils and tulips are peeking out of the ground. The rose bushes are budding.”

Mike Exinger, owner of Zinger’s Homemade Ice Cream in Seaside, was enjoying the favorable turn in the weather this weekend, which also meant better crowds in town.

“Well, hey, it’s better, but it’s not what I’d call spring,” he said. “Although your favorite ice cream store is open again, so any sign of spring is an opportunity for a cone, right? I can tell you that there are some who still fear coming over because of the ‘snow in the mountains’ - although the snow is in the OTHER mountains. And once they get here they are very thankful that the weather is as nice as it is.”

Lincoln City

Thursday promises good weather on the coast, with fairly sunny skies predicted. Friday is largely the same, although the nighttime may get a few drizzles. Saturday is predicted to be mostly sunny, with highs near 50, and Sunday is predicted to be even warmer. Monday – a holiday – will also result in quite warm temperatures and mostly clear skies.

“After so many slow weekends here, it’s nice to have something going on,” said Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium.

Chandler said the floodgates seem to have been turned on for tourists on the north coast this past weekend. It definitely reached over 50 degrees on Sunday, and the passes to the coast were finally clear of any hint of snow. Plus, it was a nice day – sort of.

Depoe Bay

“It’s been overcast, but cold,” Chandler said. “I’d call it a false spring if anything.

“You know when you just start getting over a cold, and you don’t feel bad for the first time in a while? It’s like that. You’re just so used to feeling crummy that it feels really good to not feel bad. The weather hasn’t been great, it’s just not as bad as it has been.”

Chandler was looking forward to stellar conditions later this week and weekend, particularly Valentine’s Day. “At least Cupid’s not going to freeze his butt off,” he said.

Most of the coast has been complaining about extremely slow numbers this January, due in part to snow on the passes, spooky murmurings about the economy, but mostly snow on the Cascades and a big ski season. Chandler said it was their turn this year, with previous years not good for the snow sports business. He didn’t mind sharing the influx of people and business.

Look for sunsets like this over the weekend (Newport)

Danielle Emerick, manager of Starfish Point in Newport, said she’s seen hints of spring this week. Wednesday was pretty nice, she said, but Tuesday was absolutely stellar.

“It’s been on and off today,” Emerick said Wednesday. “There’s been a fair amount of sun. Although I noticed it had rained at one point. I talked to one couple who just drove over and said they had it raining so hard they could barely see. Tuesday was awesome, though. I hadn’t been to the beach in a while. Took the dog. There was no wind. The sun was shining and it felt warm.”

Emerick said summer reservations have started, with people making inquiries about summer just as the decent weather kicked in this week. “Nobody cares about summer when it’s snowing. But soon as the snow stopped and the passes cleared, we were getting calls. This weekend is filling nicely too.”

Interesting stuff washed up on Newport beaches (photo: Guy DiTorrice)

Emerick also noticed buds and flowers starting to appear in her garden areas around the hotel.

For the beachcomber and hunter of treasures, the ease in inclement weather may mean a gold mine, along with the rather calm waves and tides that are expected this weekend.

Newport resident and beach expert Guy DiTorrice said it was a “great day at the beach” on Monday.

“Even at high tide, there were still exposed rock cobble bars where one could find not only agates, jaspers and fossils, but also flotsam and jetsam deposited during the night.”

“The biggest eyeball item today: nearly all the plastic water bottles being found on the beaches these past weeks have foreign labeling and caps, mostly of Asiatic languages. Not being fluent in any of them, I can say some of them do include the name of a Japanese company. Honda is on three of them. One of the bottles sported large letters proclaiming ‘Tang’ but without the product registry mark, so it might have been describing the flavor versus the company.”

Wreck of the Peter Iredale, near Warrenton

DiTorrice said he has more than two-dozen different colors for a variety of shaped bottles – some square, one triangle, and the rest are the more modern round shape.

Of the American plastic bottle products being tossed onto the beaches, DiTorrice said most are Evian. Desani comes in second. These could be thrown into the surf or off a boat by marine litterbugs, he said.

“Still finding commercial crab pot floats, along with bits and large pieces of Styrofoam
and gobs of colored plastic, ranging from caps and bits of vinyl gloves to feminine protection applicators and children’s toys.”

What’s interesting to DiTorrice is the lack of some objects being found these days.

“One big difference in the last few years about winter storm debris: not finding empty canisters of tobacco any more, nor that many soft drink containers. The former were pretty much evidence of near-shore commercial fishing, the latter I miss for the deposit cash I would normally count on from beach walks.”

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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