Weather or Not: Last Day of Winter
Thursday, Mar. 19th – Lincoln County
Summary: The anticipated rapid dissipation of morning clouds yesterday came to fruition and we were given the all-clear by 10:00am. The Sun ruled the sky the remainder of the day and the thermometer climbed to a standard 55-60F. What little bit of wind blew was from the northwest at 5-15 mph from noon to sunset. Skies were partly cloudy through the evening and overnight; low temps sagged into the 40s. At dawn, patchy fog formed in a few areas, skies above were mainly clear and a light east wind barely ruffled the air.
Past 24 Hours High/Low…
Lincoln City: 61F/49F
Depoe Bay: 56F/47F
Newport: 55F/43F
Waldport: 59F/44F
Yachats: 58F/47F
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Forecast: Okay, you get to close-out Winter with one more dry and at least partly sunny day, highs about 60F this afternoon and light winds. And then we’re off to the races as the storm track is laid across the Central Coast for the foreseeable 
future. Increasing clouds are expected tonight, lows 45-50F. Tomorrow, Spring begins just as the first in a series of storms is predicted to arrive bringing rain and packing southwest winds 20-25 mph gusting 40. Outlook is for heavier rain tomorrow night, maybe a half inch or better, and southerlies 25-40 mph. Showers and mostly cloudy on Saturday, a chance of steadier rain returning by midday Sunday, another storm Sunday night and Monday, showers likely Tuesday and a chance of showers on Wednesday. The mercury floats between highs of 50-55F and lows of 45F all week.
Travel: In the Coast Range today, patchy fog, partly cloudy with 60-65F. Valley destinations are expecting mostly sunny skies and highs of 65-70F. The Columbia River Gorge forecast calls for sunshine, light west winds, temps 65-70F. For the Cascades, there is bare pavement on the highway passes this morning, temperatures are 25-35F; partly cloudy, the freezing level is at 8,000 feet, snow is possible in the passes this weekend.
Call or email George today!
Cascades Snow Pack: Currently 25”; a gain of 1” since yesterday; an overall loss of 7” in the past seven days; 93” less than this date last year; 94% below the 30-year average Snow Water Equivalent (total amount of moisture in the snow pack).
Ski Report – New Snow/Base/Condition…
Hoodoo 0”/0”/closed
Willamette Pass 0”/0”/closed for season
Mt. Bachelor 0”/40”/firm packed
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl 0”/1”/closed
Mt. Hood Meadows 0”/25”/operations on hold until Friday
Timberline 0”/24”/spring riding, clear skies and no wind
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Marine: Winds are variable 5-10 knots this morning with seas 6-7 feet at 11-12 seconds. As of 7:30am, Depoe Bay bar 
is closed to recreational vessels 26 feet and less. Yaquina Bay bar is unrestricted. A Gale Watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through late Friday night. The breeze veers to the S 10-15 knots gusting 20 today and tonight with swells 6 feet at 11 seconds. Tomorrow, southerlies 20-25 knots early, but rising to 25-30 knots gusting 35 by afternoon and combined seas building to 8-10 feet. Outlook is for W wind Saturday 20-25 knots easing to 10-15 knots in the afternoon with swells 7 feet at 12 seconds. Another blow is expected Sunday as southerlies rebuild to 25-30 knots and combined seas reach into the teens. SW winds on Monday, 15-20 knots, and swells subsiding to around 10 feet.
Notice to Mariners… NOAA Environmental Lighted Buoy 46050, Stonewall Bank, went adrift and was recovered up in Washington this week. It is currently offline. However, this event is a blessing in disguise because the critical (for the Central Coast) buoy’s wind gauge has been out of commission all Winter, and when it’s reset in position, that’ll be fixed.
On the Beach… Sun and clouds, light breeze, 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
03/19 Thu 12:07 PM 9.07 H
03/19 Thu 06:25 PM -0.53 L
03/20 Fri 12:46 AM 8.93 H
03/20 Fri 06:48 AM 0.15 L
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In Short: Increasing clouds, light winds, then stormy.
