High Wind Warnings, Surf Danger Warnings Up for Entire Oregon Coast

Published 03/12/22 at 6:05 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast) – There's a storm a brewin' on the Oregon coast – the whole of the Oregon coast, it seems. Even though it's the opening days of spring, there's one last winter volley getting thrown at the coastline with a variety of high wind warnings through Sunday and dangerous surf up and down the entire region.

Warnings and advisories differ from place to place, all issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Medford and Portland.

On the southern Oregon coast (from Reedsport southward to Brookings), a high wind warning for gusts up 65 is in effect until early Saturday evening, while a high surf advisory is in effect until 5 p.m. Sunday, on beaches from Coos Bay down through Bandon, Gold Beach and beyond. Expect breaking waves of 22 to 27 feet. This will make for spectacular storm wave viewing at hotspots like Meyers Beach, Bandon or especially Shore Acres on Sunday, but dangerous situations on the beaches themselves.

For the north and central Oregon coast (Yachats, Newport, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Manzanita, Cannon Beach and Seaside), there is a beach hazards statement issued by the NWS in effect through Sunday afternoon. There, waves up to 23 feet are expected on the beaches, creating plenty of hazardous conditions. Also for those areas, a high wind warning is in effect until 5 a.m. Sunday morning, with gusts up to 60 mph, especially on beaches and headlands.

See Oregon Coast Weather - Washington Coast Weather

“Expecting gusts to 60 mph for the Oregon beaches and headlands,” the NWS said. “Peak gusts for the south Washington coast will be lower as the low pressure center ends up south of that area.”

Small beaches on the Oregon coast will be a big no-no, such as those at Gleneden Beach, parts of Lincoln City where the cliffs rise high above, and parts of Bandon, for example. Any beach that is short in width and does not allow you quick access to dunes and then the street above will be a threat.

“Stay away from the surf zone and off of jetties,” the NWS said. “Area beaches may become hazardous due to dangerous surf conditions. Beach erosion is possible, and exposed infrastructure may be damaged. Heavy surf will develop on the north coast tonight, spreading to the south coast early Sunday morning.”

The NWS said offshore on the northern half of the coast that there will be a “chaotic sea state with combined waves into the low 20s.”

There will be a break in that action out to sea, but more coming in Monday. This could mean more stormy issues then for the Oregon coast beach towns but so far there are no firm predictions or advisories after Sunday.

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Sunset Bay in a storm, courtesy Greg Lerwill

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