Portland, Ore. — Mariners along the Oregon and southwest Washington coastline are being urged to stay in harbor as a powerful Pacific storm unleashes extremely hazardous seas and strong winds through Saturday night.
The National Weather Service in Portland has a Storm Warning in effect until 11 p.m. PDT Saturday for the coastal waters from Cape Shoalwater, Washington, to Florence, Oregon, extending out to 60 nautical miles offshore. The warning also includes the Columbia River Bar.
Forecasters are calling for seas building to 25 to 30 feet with periods near 14 seconds, driven by west to southwest winds of 30 to 40 knots and gusts up to 50 knots. At the Columbia River Bar, waves of roughly 23 to 28 feet are expected, creating extremely dangerous navigation.
The Weather Service warns these conditions can capsize or damage vessels and severely reduce visibility. Both commercial and recreational mariners are advised to remain in port or seek immediate safe harbor until winds and seas diminish later tonight.
Wave heights are forecast to gradually subside to around 9 feet by Sunday evening, though rough, choppy conditions may linger into the start of the week.
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