Wind Warning, Waves Up to 25 Feet for South Oregon Coast; N. Coast Not Far Behind

Published 1/30/24 at 6:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast) – High winds and really high surf in many places are bringing advisories and warnings to the south Oregon coast for Wednesday and Thursday, with breakers as high as 25 feet in some areas between Reedsport and Brookings. Up on the northern half of the coast, big waves closing in on 20 feet high are possible this week and weekend, but no advisories have been issued so far. (Above: Bandon, courtesy Oregon King Tides)

The National Weather Service (NWS) has declared a high wind warning for the south Oregon coast from tonight through Wednesday night – including the towns of Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings. Gusts up to 70 mph are headed for the beaches, especially the exposed headlands such as Cape Blanco, which is expected to get the worst of the winds, the NWS said.
The warning extends until 1 p.m.

“South winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected,” the NWS said.

Widespread power outages are possible. You should also stay clear of forested areas, the agency warned.

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“Additional High Wind Warnings will cover the Oregon coast from Cape Ferrelo (North of Brookings) to Floras Lake (North of Cape Blanco) from Tuesday at 10 p.m. through Wednesday at 1 p.m. and for the Rogue Valley around Ashland from Tuesday at 10 p.m. through Wednesday at 7 p.m.,” the NWS said.

Large waves are going to be the other gigantic possibility, with the high surf advisory on the south coast from 10 p.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday. Breaking waves of 22 to 25 feet are possible from Douglas County down to the California border.

Shore Acres, courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast

More large waves driven by southerly winds are expected after that. The NWS said stay off jetties and anything but extremely large beaches.

Hanging out far above rocky areas will result in prime storm wave watching, however. Coos Bay's Shore Acres is expected to be spectacular. You may want to come out on Thursday, however, after the high winds are done.

The NWS said 15-foot waves are still a possibility through the early weekend, continuing the wave drama for awhile.

Waves up around 15 to 18 feet are possible for the northern half later in the week, such as Newport, Yachats, Pacific City and Seaside. Hitting rocky areas like Yachats, Depoe Bay or Oceanside and watching from afar should yield interesting sights. MORE PHOTOS BELOW

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Depoe Bay

Courtesy Oregon King Tides


Bandon, courtesy Oregon King Tides

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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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