Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Waldport, OR

SYNOPSIS
A low pressure system continues to move south of the Pacific Northwest into northern California, allowing skies to stay clear and offshore flow to increase this afternoon. A broad upper-level ridge will gradually move overhead today through the end of the week, supporting dry weather and near- normal temperatures through Saturday. A weak front may brush the area late Thursday into Friday with a few light showers. By the weekend, another Pacific front looks increasingly likely to move inland, bringing an increased chance of rainfall.

UPDATE
Temperatures within sheltered valleys across the region have risen into the mid to upper 30s or warmer so far this morning, ending the threat of additional frost or freeze conditions. The Freeze Warning in the Upper Hood River Valley and Frost Advisory in the Cascade foothills and portions of the Willamette, Tualatin, Lower Columbia, and other Coast Range valleys has therefore been allowed to expire as of 9 AM PDT. A Freeze Watch remains in effect for the Upper Hood River Valley again tonight, and additional Frost Advisories may be needed elsewhere for further overnight low temperatures in the low to mid 30s. See previous discussion below. -36

DISCUSSION
Now through Sunday...Dry weather continues through the remainder of today under mostly sunny skies, though east winds will persist, particularly through the Columbia River Gorge where gusts up to 25 to 30 mph remain possible. These winds may maintain slightly milder temperatures in exposed areas, but elsewhere, the clear and dry conditions will support another cold night tonight into early Wednesday morning. Similar conditions to last night are expected with calm winds and clear skies for most of the area, allowing for another round of frost. Subfreezing temperatures are again favored in the Upper Hood River Valley, where a Freeze Watch remains in effect, while other sheltered valleys may require additional Frost Advisories.

By Wednesday afternoon, the upper low over California will shift eastward into the Great Basin, allowing weak ridging to build overhead. This will bring lighter winds and continued dry, mild fall weather through the end of the week. The ridge will gradually flatten toward Friday as a weak front approaches from the northwest. Only spotty light rain is expected with this system - mainly along the coast and higher terrain, while most interior valleys may remain dry.

Temperatures will hold near seasonal averages through Saturday, with highs ranging from the upper 50s to mid 60s each afternoon.
Looking ahead, confidence remains fairly high that a more organized Pacific front will move inland later Saturday or Sunday. This system should bring the next round of measurable rainfall. Currently probabilities favor around a 50-70% chance for at least one inch of rain along the coast, and a 20-40% chance inland through Sunday night. ~12

AVIATION
A persistent weather pattern will continue east winds and VFR conditions for the next 24 hours. East winds will be gusty this afternoon with wind gusts around 20 kt.

KPDX AND APPROACHES...VFR conditions with mostly east winds for the next 24 hours. Wind gusts around 20 kt are expected this afternoon between 20z to 03z. ~11

MARINE
Low pressure continues to drop southward, currently located over the coast of Northern California, supporting northeast flow through today. Winds 15-20 kt with gusts to 25 kt over the central and southern outer coastal waters will slowly weaken through today as the pressure gradient over the region decreases. Northeasterly winds this morning will slowly shift to northerly by the evening, then northwesterly by Wednesday. Seas 6-8 feet at 9 seconds will subside to 4-6 feet by Wednesday and persist around these heights until late Friday.

While the weather pattern remains a bit uncertain for this upcoming weekend, model guidance for wave heights has come into slightly better agreement. On Saturday, there is moderate to high confidence for seas around 7 to 8 ft. Sunday shows a large range for potential wave heights. Given the spread in models, there is moderate to high confidence that significant wave heights can be anywhere from 9 to 18 feet. Low to moderate confidence that the most significant wave heights will occur late Sunday. ~12

PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...Freeze Watch from late tonight through Wednesday morning for ORZ121.

WA...None.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for PZZ272- 273.