Western Oregon / Washington Windstorms Christmas Eve: Gusts Up to 60, Power Outages Possible

Published 12/23/25 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) – Not so much a white Christmas as much as a Windy Wonderland: that's what seems in store for most of western Oregon and Washington during the day on Christmas Eve, while higher terrain will see snow. The possibilities of this windstorm include gusts up to 60 mph even inland – which is par for the course on the coast but land-lubber power grids are much more vulnerable. (Above: Portland / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Thus, the National Weather Service (NWS) has put out a wide variety of wind advisories to warnings around Oregon and Washington, with highest winds on the south Oregon coast, but the most impact could be inland. Oregon Coast Weather  

PORTLAND METRO, etc

In fact, for the Portland / Vancouver Metro area, there's a wind advisory from December 23 to 4 p.m. on December 24, which includes the southern Willamette Valley, north and central coast range, Willapa Hills, the Lower Columbia River all the way over to the Cascades and down around Eugene.

Forecast models, however, are not completely certain about the strength of the storms, say regional forecasters. Top gusts could peak at under 50 mph, while other models indicate as high as over 60 mph. . Portland Oregon / Beaverton Weather

STORM TIMING

It's a roving storm: one that will start in the south and work its way up north, hitting areas for about two to three hours each. With loose, wet soils still an issue around the northwest, there's a fair possibility these kinds of gusts will knock trees over and take out powerlines. Power officials from the region are urging everyone to be prepared with flashlights and non-perishable foods.

“Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph is expected across southwest Washington and northwest Oregon on Wednesday, December 24,” the NWS said. “The winds will start to the south in Lane County around 7 am, reach the Portland/Vancouver Metro area around 10 am, and southwest Washington around noon. The strong winds will persist 1 to 3 hours for each location.” - Full Oregon Weather: North, Central, Eastern Southern

COASTLINE

Ironically, the north Oregon coast has no wind watches going, but the southern shoreline will be nuts.

Along the south-central Oregon coast, a high wind warning continues from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, covering Curry, Coos and Douglas county coastal communities including Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon, Coos Bay, North Bend and Reedsport. South to southwest winds of 40-50 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph - especially along headlands and exposed stretches of Highway 101 - may cause property damage, scattered outages and hazardous driving conditions. Forecasters note that additional wind hazards are possible Wednesday night into Christmas Day.

WASHINGTON

Areas of south Washington and well into Seattle will see some action. A high wind watch remains in effect for portions of northwest and west-central Washington from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening, with an abrupt shift from light easterly winds to strong southerly gusts up to 50-60 mph expected by afternoon. Forecasters warn that the strongest winds could down trees and power lines, leading to widespread outages and difficult travel for high-profile vehicles. See Washington coast weather (and wave height)

Other Watches and Warnings:

Wind Advisory (Idaho Owyhee Mountains; Oregon Harney & Malheur counties, Wed 6 AM-4 PM MST): Advisory for south winds 25-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph expected Wednesday.

Special Weather Statement (NWS Pendleton, Dec 23): Light rain turning to 2-4 inches of snow through Wednesday will affect Cascade mountain passes and holiday travel. North Oregon Cascades, Mt Hood, Government Camp Weather: and Alerts | Current Conditions, Cams, Snow | Temps

Special Weather Statement (NWS Pendleton, Dec 23): South winds 15-25 mph with gusts up to 40-45 mph are expected early Wednesday, especially along I-84.

High Wind Warning (Southern Oregon Cascades & Siskiyous, Tue 10 PM-Wed 1 PM): Southeast winds up to 50-75 mph and light high-elevation snow are expected overnight into Wednesday.

Wind Advisory & High Wind Warning (Siskiyou/Cascade foothills & southern Rogue Valley, Tue 10 PM-Wed 1 PM): Southeast winds 20-45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph will impact areas south and east of Medford overnight into Wednesday.

- Eugene, Oregon - Springfield Weather -- Corvallis, Oregon - Albany Weather and Alerts -

Bend - Central Oregon Weather: Alerts, Snow, Storm, 7-Day Forecast

 

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

 

New at Neskowin: Vacation Rental a Gateway to Secluded, Even Exotic Stretch o...
Neskowin North is just killin' it with oceanfront glory and a unique beach. Neskowing lodging reviews, Pacific City reviews, Pacific City hotels

Music Reviews: Top Ten Innovative Holiday Tunes You Did Not Know
Jethro Tull, The Residents, Patty Gurdy, The Pogues, Robert Fripp, Roxy Music, Blue Nile, Emerson, Lake 'n Palmer, Chris Squire

Vacation Rentals in Cannon Beach: Check Out Reduced Rates at Beachcomber Vaca...
Cannon Beach Specials - reductions in winter and spring. Cannon Beach hotel reviews

Newport Hotels - Nye Beach, South Beach
Newport Hotel reviews, Newport vacation rentals

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Holidays 2025 - 26: Giving the Oregon Coast Online
Cyber Monday or a quick call to give a night at the beach or fun gear. Hotel specials, hotel deals, Rockaway Beach hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Manzanita hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Pacific City hotel specials, Pacific City hotel reviews, Newport lodging deals, Newport hotel reviews

Surf Advisory for All Oregon / Washington Coast Today, Waves Up To 25 ft - Early King Tides Predictions
So far, king tides doesn't look too dramatic. Weather

Oregon and Coastal Parks' Projects A Mix of Good and Bad Budget News
Several updates finished but some shelved for future. Astoria, Warrenton, Oceanside, Newport, Salem, Silverton, Eastern Oregon, Prineville, Nehalem

Holiday Rager on South Oregon Coast All About Mountain Biking
Wild Coast Trails Holiday Ride Saturday, November 22 in Agness near Gold Beach. South coast events

Wind Warnings Today, But Oregon / Washington Coast Get Up to 20-ft Waves for King Tides
Large waves will combine with king tides to make dangerous conditions. Weather

Central Oregon Coast Landslide Worsens; How to Report Personal Belongings Finds
The Go-Now order still in effect; personal belongings sought. Lincoln City, Newport, Depoe Bay

Lassoing a Wayward Sea Lion Just Part of the Gig for Oregon Coast Deputies
Sea lion wandering near Newport / South Beach streets got some interesting looks. Marine sciences

Holly Jolly Follies Return to Central Oregon Coast's Florence Events Center
Dec 5 - 7 with loads of dancing, song and even cocoa.

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted