Weather or Not: Exchange Day
Friday, Dec. 26th – Lincoln County
Summary: Christmas Day broke showery but by the time the presents were opened, we began seeing a few sunbreaks and rainbows. Scattered clouds lingered through the day, the thermometer topped out in the low-50s, northwest winds were light to moderate 5-15 mph gusting into the 20s, and rainfall amounts varied with the showers; Lincoln City received the most, a bit over half an inch. Most of the precipitation fell from late afternoon through the late evening and overnight. This morning, a few showers remained in the area, some patchy fog developed and the wind was light out of the northeast.
Past 24 Hours High/Low/Rain…
Lincoln City: 53F/46F/0.53”
Depoe Bay: 51F/43F/0.10”
Newport: 52F/43F/0.29”
Waldport: 52F/45F/0.26”
Yachats: 53F/46F/0.32”
Forecast: It’s called Boxing Day in Europe but for Americans, today should be termed Exchange Day, as ill-fitting clothes and other items are swapped out for ‘proper’ gifts. While you’re out and about, there’s a slight chance of showers, otherwise 
fairly dry with a mixed sky, cooler, high temps of 45-50F and light winds. Tonight, look for a chance of showers, low about 45F and a light southeast breeze. Showers will intensify tomorrow with up to a quarter inch of wet stuff, high near 50F. Outlook is for showers and sunshine Sunday with northwest winds rising to 15-20 mph and highs of 50F. Then, another Exchange Day as we trade our mild weather for a cooler and clearer regime Sunday night and into the first part of next week. Monday through New Year’s Day, sunny days, crisp nights and blustery east winds. The mercury hits 40-45F during the day and drops to around freezing at night.
Travel: Highway 101 is open but with flaggers and construction equipment working at ‘the slump’ 12 miles north of Florence; expect delays up to 20 minutes. In the Coast Range today, a chance of showers with highs of 40-45F. Valley destinations are expecting patchy fog, partly sunny and 45-50F. The Columbia River Gorge forecast is mostly cloudy, temps around 45F. For the Cascades, there’s packed snow on the highway passes this morning, with the ‘Chains Required’ sign turned on at Willamette Pass, ‘Carry Chains’ at Santiam Pass and Government Camp; isolated snow showers today with the snow level at 3,000 feet.
Outlook for Holiday Travelers… Mainly wet pavement at the lower elevations through Sunday, though it may be icy in the Gorge by Sunday night, and icy spots are possible in the Coast Range passes at night. The big story is in the Cascades where a Special Weather Statement has been issued for 3-7 inches of snow in the passes for tomorrow and snow showers likely through Sunday night with the snow level holding at 3,000 feet. Carry chains or traction tires and be prepared to use them for Cascades travel the rest of the Christmas holiday period.
Cascades Snow Pack: Currently 26”, a gain of 2” since yesterday; an overall gain of 18” in the past seven days.
Ski Report – New Snow/Base/Condition…
Hoodoo 3”/9”/Closed
Willamette Pass 4”/4”/Closed
Mt. Bachelor 1”/35”/Open, packed powder
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl 6”/18”/Open, Snow Tube & Adventure Park
Mt. Hood Meadows 1”/21”/Open, packed powder
Timberline 9”/34”/Open, packed powder
Marine: Winds are variable at 10 knots or so this morning with seas down to 7 feet at 10 seconds. As of 8:00am, Depoe 
Bay bar is closed to recreational vessels 16 feet and less. Yaquina Bay bar is unrestricted. The breeze backs to S 5-10 knots gusting 15 this afternoon and seas are expected to remain around 7 feet at 10-11 seconds today. For tonight and tomorrow, light W to S winds and an 8-9 foot swell. Outlook is for a weather system to affect local waters Saturday night into Sunday with NW winds rising to 20-25 knots gusting 30 and seas building from 10 to 13 feet. Cold NE winds 20-25 knots will be the pattern for Monday through Wednesday with seas subsiding slowly from 10 to 5 feet.
On the Beach… Chance of showers, sunbreaks, surf 6-7 feet (low).
* For a safe and enjoyable time on the Central Coast, the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department offers these Beach Safety Tips.
* Tides
12/26 Fri 09:13 AM 2.68 L
12/26 Fri 03:00 PM 8.28 H
12/26 Fri 09:34 PM -0.10 L
12/27 Sat 04:22 AM 8.67 H
In Short: Showers early, mixed sky, then colder, clearing, east winds.
