Portland, Ore. – Thick marine fog is blanketing much of Oregon’s coastline and the Columbia River Bar tonight, creating hazardous navigation conditions expected to last into late Tuesday morning. Visibility is dropping to one nautical mile or less in several stretches, raising the risk for collisions and grounding in these heavily traveled waterways.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Tuesday for inner coastal waters from Cape Shoalwater, Washington, south to Florence, Oregon, as well as the main channel of the Columbia River Bar. Mariners in areas including Cape Falcon, Cape Foulweather, and offshore fishing zones are urged to slow down, use foghorn signals, and keep radar and navigation lights operating at all times.
The advisory notes that the combination of low visibility and complex coastal currents could make crossing the Columbia River Bar especially dangerous overnight and into the morning hours. Small craft should remain in port until conditions improve.
Mariners should monitor NOAA Weather Radio for updates, as additional advisories could be issued if the fog persists into Tuesday afternoon.
