Secrets of the Season

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Oregon Coast Welcomes First Storm of the Season

Big waves starting to hit Hug Point, near Cannon Beach

(Oregon Coast) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for the north and central Oregon coast for Tuesday, as a storm jockeys into position to hit the area with around 30 to 40 mph winds. Peak gusts may be as high as 60 mph on the headlands that jut out into the ocean.

The storm is expected to hit the coast on Tuesday morning, with winds decreasing later in the afternoon, as a cold front starts moving in behind it.

The high winds could be sustained at around 40 mph. Winds higher than that could cause some property damage, according to the weather service.

These wind conditions will bring on large waves and swells, so extreme caution is urged for those heading to the beaches to watch the tidal melee. Officials warn to not go on beaches or rocky areas by the tide, but instead stay at a safe distance.

Seaside on a particularly wet day

The inland area, like Portland and Salem, is expected to experience high winds as well, but nothing quite like the coast.

It is, however, considered the first big storm of the season, and Oregon coast locals and business people are waiting with glee. It’s also expected to bring a small surge of tourists, along with the ocean surges.

Monday, it was calm, warm and quite sunny in Seaside, with almost no wind except a small, warming breeze from the east. Waves were gathering intensity, however, as storms offshore usually shove them into high gear, and they make an impression well ahead of the storm.

Like many coasties, Carol Barkhurst – head of the Depoe Bay Chamber – is anxiously looking to the skies and waiting for the fun. “Storms in Depoe Bay are celebrated by locals and tourists,” Barkhurst said. “We all love the power of the ocean when it is angry and reminding us there are still forces in the world we have no control over.”

Manzanita during a wild winter storm, with a paradoxically bright sunset

Others were looking forward to the show as well.

“We are ready for all the storm watchers to come in,” said Amy Dunlap, with Sunset Vacation Rentals in Manzanita. “We have plenty of storm-ready homes. So we welcome it. We are hoping to see lots of people. Should be a good first one.”

Across the street, Peg Miller owns Ekahni Books, a small eclectic, even oddball bookshop in Manzanita. “This kind of weather is great for the book biz, so bring it on,” Miller said.

In Newport, beach expert Guy DiTorrice was asking the question all coasties have been asking this season, where the famed “second summer” – the warmest time of the year on the coast – didn’t seem to materialize.

Newport's Agate Beach just before a storm

“What happened to our fall and coastal Indian Summer," he asked. “These weather patterns are more like mid-December or January and makes you wonder how they'll be trending into the commercial crab season.”

DiTorrice didn’t think the coming storm would wind up any big deal.

“Not exactly ‘batten down the hatches’ weather,” DiTorrice said. “We get those types of gusts on our headlands and the bridges regularly throughout the winter. Not expecting any problems of note.”

Seaside on Sunday night: a lot of fog and no wind made for weird lighting on the Promenade

Brian Hines owns San Dune Inn in Manzanita and noted this lack of a second summer didn’t bode well for the rest of the season.

“Seems to me this first shingle shaker is a little early in the season, but I understand that we are expecting a colder, wetter winter this year in the northwest anyway,” Hines said. “People-wise, it might be somewhat of a non event for us and for storm watcher guests staying over in the middle of the week. Maybe not the real guarantee you can get for watching later on in the season.”

“After living on the coast for so many years, I have seen all types of weather,” said Donna Weiss, owner of Paradise Suites and Vacation Rentals in Seaside. “We usually get high winds this time of year and through the winter. Hopefully this will not be any big thing. With high winds we can sometimes loose power and that isn't a good thing. We usually provide our guests with lanterns and/or candles during times we could loose power. Most of the time it is just for a short time and it doesn't cause a major problem.”

Weiss said she hoped it was just a quick storm that moves through without causing any damage.

Odd cloud pattern above Manzanita in early September

Hines said he hasn’t had to do much preparing for this storm, but he worries about the surrounding area battling it out with nature. “Not really doing much to prepare apart from moving some outside patio furniture, etc,” he said. “The outside storm window covers are already in place.

“The biggest problem is the possibility of downed trees due to the soggy ground we have right now, and subsequent downed power lines. As a matter of fact, haven't seen the public utility crews doing any limb trimming around power lines.”

DiTorrice is keenly awaiting the seasonal storms for other reasons, as he has a bit of a stake in what they do to the beaches. He leads fossil tours of central coast beaches under the name “Oregon Fossil Guy,” and is hoping for better sand levels because of the coming storm season.

Storm waves lashing the rocks just north of Depoe Bay

“There is still so much sand on the beaches of the central Oregon coast that it’s going to take a lot more storms than this one, and a bit more fierce, to move much of it,” DiTorrice said. “Agate Beach in Newport still likes the Sahara Desert with all its sand dunes. Moolack and Beverly Beaches aren't just flat and full of deep sand, the sand reaches right up to the hills and sandstone cliffs.”

DiTorrice was hoping recently wacky waves had brought some treasures ashore recently. “Checked out four beaches this past weekend to see if recent weather brought anything interesting onto the beaches,” he said. “Alas, no flotsam nor jetsam of note, not even kelp. Darn it. Harvest what hits the beach, dry it and cook with it all next year.”

Also in the natural world – well sort of – are the reactions of some pets to storms. Barkhurst likes to keep her cat Panda in the visitors center in Depoe Bay, who delights visitors by simply lounging around underneath a lamp. She also occasionally brings in her Huskie dog.

“Panda does not get wet with any dignity whatsoever,” Barkhurst said. “Yesterday she ‘told’ me about the rain for over an hour and my husband David too when we got home. Sami is a Huskie and loves storms. In fact, her fear of humans makes it seem interesting that she loves the noise and all of the storm.”

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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