Astoria, Oregon – Boaters and commercial vessels along the northern Oregon coast are facing dangerous conditions as dense fog blankets the Columbia River Bar and offshore waters from Astoria to Florence, reducing visibility to less than one nautical mile through 2 p.m. Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, both a Dense Fog Advisory and Small Craft Advisory remain in effect for key coastal areas, including the Main Channel of the Columbia River Bar, and the waters off Cape Falcon, Cape Foulweather, and Florence. Mariners should expect seas of 6 to 9 feet and north winds gusting up to 30 knots, with hazardous navigation expected to last until at least 11 p.m. Monday.
Visibility will be especially limited early Monday, making travel risky for recreational boaters, commercial fishers, and those operating smaller vessels. Specific risk zones include the waters from Cape Shoalwater, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, and the busy harbors near Astoria and Newport. Mariners are urged to avoid non-essential travel, use fog signals, ensure all navigation lights are operating, and rely on radar and compass for guidance.
These conditions follow a pattern of thick summer fog typical for July along the Pacific Northwest coast, occasionally contributing to boating accidents and delayed bar crossings. With both advisories active, the Coast Guard and local authorities recommend extreme caution for all marine operations.
Advisories are expected to expire Monday evening, but updates will follow if hazardous conditions persist.
