Portland, OR – Mariners along the Oregon and southwest Washington coast are being urged to remain in port as a powerful ocean storm brings extremely dangerous seas and high winds through Saturday night.
According to the National Weather Service Portland, a Storm Warning remains in effect until 11 PM PDT Saturday for coastal waters from Cape Shoalwater, Washington, to Florence, Oregon, extending up to 60 nautical miles offshore — including the Columbia River Bar.
Forecasters warn of seas reaching 25 to 30 feet at 14-second intervals, with west to southwest winds of 30–40 knots and gusts up to 50 knots. In the Columbia River Bar, waves between 23 and 28 feet are expected, creating extremely hazardous navigation conditions.
The National Weather Service cautions that such conditions could capsize or damage vessels and drastically reduce visibility. Both recreational and commercial mariners are advised to remain in port or take immediate shelter until winds and seas subside later tonight.
Wave heights are expected to gradually decrease to around 9 feet by Sunday evening, though choppy seas will persist into the start of the week.
