Current High Surf and Wind Warnings for Oregon

High surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

Photo by Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - A High Surf Advisory and High Wind Warnings are now in effect, and will remain so until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for the entire Oregon coastline and the Coast Range.

According to the National Weather Service, a series of waves from a strong Pacific system will generate large seas and high winds through early Tuesday along the Oregon Coast.

During the storm, seas will climb to 23-27 feet, with periods around 11 seconds. Seas have already reached 23 feet off the mouth of the Columbia River, and will peak closer to the value of 27 feet tonight, during the strongest winds.

These large seas will create dangerous beach conditions, with waves pummeling the surf zone which will only be exacerbated by the prominence of the enhanced Lunar Tidal Cycle. Due to the magnitude of the high tides, waves will travel much further up the beach than usual, creating a dangerous situation in which extreme caution must be exercised.

There is also a High Surf Advisory beginning at 4:00 p.m. Monday through 4 a.m. Wednesday for the South Central Oregon Coast.

A heavy swell will bring high surf to the Southern Oregon Coast with breaker heights expected to build to around 25 feet ronight, persisting through Tuesday and slowly subsiding that night.

The most hazardous conditions will occur Tuesday, as the predominant wave direction veers from Southwest early in the morning to West by late morning.

Large logs and other debris can easily be tossed around by the force of these waves. Even the largest logs can roll easily on gntly sloped beaches in ankle-deep water.

High surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

A High Wind Warning is in effect until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for the South Washington and North Oregon coasts. A prolonged period of strong south winds are expected today and tonight, with winds of 35 to 45 mph, and gusts up to 70 mph are expected today.

The National Weather Service reports that numerous gusts to 65 mph have already been clocked today. The winds may briefly ease this afternoon, especially along the South Washington coast, but will increase and reach their peak tonight with sustained south winds of 35 to 50 mhp and gusts up to 75 mph.

However, they say on the open beaches, sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph with gusts up to 90 mph are likely. The winds will then decease early Tuesday morning, once a strong cold front moves onshore, and the very strong offshore low moves into British Columbia.

A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage, power outages and down trees. Travel will be impacted especially for high-profile vehicles.

For Additional Weather Information Visit: www.weather.gov/portland

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