Entire Oregon / Washington Coast Gets High Surf Advisories, Flooding, Some Snow Issues

Published 02/20/23 at 7:49 PM
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Long Beach, Washington) – Nothing short of a wild week is in store for the entire Oregon coast and Washington coast, with not only high surf dangers of waves up to 25 feet from Brookings all the way up to the Olympic Peninsula, but winter weather advisories for Oregon's south coast. Each of the regions covered by the National Weather Service (NWS) has some kind of advisories: North Washington coast, south Washington coast, northern half of Oregon's coast and the south Oregon coast. (Above: photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Travel along the Oregon Coast Range will see some bumps in the form of lots of snow on the upper elevations, causing icy roads at times.

The timeline for just about all this is Tuesday and Wednesday, but the south Oregon coast may see steep seas and dangerous surf through Thursday.

Right now (Monday) things are quite calm, but the NWS said that's about to drastically change.

“The coastal waters is literally experiencing the calm before the storm,” the NWS said.

North Washington Coast: Coastal Flood Advisory in effect 4 a.m. through 10 a.m. Tuesday. High Surf Advisory Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning. There is no winter weather advisory for this area, but the region could see snow accumulating up to half an inch on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There is minor coastal flooding expected in areas like La Push, while wave height is 20 to 25 feet just offshore. This, combined with extra high astronomical tides will create even more beach dangers and some flooding.

“If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed,” the NWS said. “Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.”

South Washington Coast through Central Oregon Coast (including Westport, Long Beach, Seaside, Manzanita, Lincoln City, Florence). Coastal Flood Advisories from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday. High Surf Advisories from Tuesday morning through 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Large breaking waves of 18 to 22 feet are expected in most areas, but some could get higher.

“Large waves and hazardous surf conditions,” the NWS said. “Breakers up to 30 feet.”

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Oregon Coast Range. A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Tuesday through 4 a.m. Wednesday for any area above 1,000 feet.

The NWS said accumulations of 6 to 12 inches of snow in the higher elevations are expected. Travel may be difficult, the NWS said.

“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” the NWS said.

Courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast: Coos Bay's Shore Acres

South Oregon Coast (including Reedsport, Coos Bay, Gold Beach). Winter Weather Advisory from 4 p.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday. Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday through Thursday. High Surf Advisory from 1 p.m. Tuesday through 4 a.m. Thursday.

The NWS is showing slightly higher numbers for wave height, and the region will get hit a little longer.

“While the entire Southern Oregon coastline is expected to have average breaker heights of 20 to 26 feet, northwest facing portions of the shoreline are anticipated to have the highest breaking waves,” the NWS said. “Very steep seas are likely to persist into Thursday.”

Areas like the northern face of Cape Blanco, parts of Bandon and Langlois will get hit harder with giant waves, and the whole of the south coast will see a longer run of heavy surf than up north.

Snow above 500 feet is expected with total accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. The storm watch means this may intensify for a time late Wednesday night.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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