Portland, Oregon – Boaters navigating coastal waters from southern Washington to central Oregon this morning face sharply reduced visibility as dense fog settles offshore.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. PDT Thursday, impacting the Columbia River Bar and waters from Cape Shoalwater, Washington, to Florence, Oregon—up to 60 nautical miles offshore.
Visibility is expected to fall below 1 nautical mile, with pockets dropping to 1/4 mile or less, especially in zones where ocean upwelling has intensified over the past several days. These areas tend to be within 20 to 30 miles of the shoreline.
Mariners are urged to proceed cautiously, use fog signals, activate running lights, and rely on radar and compass for safe navigation. The thick fog could hamper commercial vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft during the morning hours.
Conditions should gradually improve late morning as daytime heating helps disperse the marine layer, but additional fog patches are possible overnight. Boaters should stay tuned for updates if planning additional trips later in the week.
