Weather or Not: Channeling the Sun
Thursday, Apr. 2nd – Lincoln County
Summary: As has been the case this week, yesterday’s weather depended primarily on where you were. In some places, people in tee-shirts were basking in sunshine while a half mile away, other folks were huddled under hoodies during a deluging rain shower. Understandably, precipitation varied widely with location; Yachats got the least and Lincoln City received the most. The thermometer stayed in the 50s and northwest winds blew for a short period in the afternoon at 10-15 mph with a few gusts around 25. The troubled sky and scattered showers persisted through the evening and overnight with low temperatures dropping to around 40F. At sunrise, clouds and bluebreaks along with localized showers were generating some brilliant rainbows.
Past 24 Hours High/Low/Rain…
Lincoln City: 57F/44F/0.39”
Depoe Bay: 52F/39F/0.26”
Newport: 52F/37F/0.15”
Waldport: 56F/40F/0.27”
Yachats: 56F/41F/0.11”
Forecast: The showers should be ending and some sunshine appearing today as we slip into a channel between atmospheric disturbances. Highs around 55F and light north winds are expected. Look for patchy fog tonight with lows near 40F or a bit below. We’ll be across the sunshine channel tomorrow and into a bona fide weather system with rain likely, maybe a quarter inch, and southerly winds rising to 10-15 mph gusting 20-25. Outlook is for another channel to open on Saturday as partly sunny skies are projected, showers likely Sunday and Monday, and then a chance of showers through the week. High temps 55F, lows 40-45F.
Travel: The use of drilling equipment will result in daytime lane restrictions on Highway 20 between Toledo and Eddyville (Mileposts 16.1-16.4) today from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Flaggers will control traffic with delays no longer than 20 minutes. In the Coast Range today, patchy fog, mostly cloudy, isolated showers, with 50-55F. Valley destinations are expecting patchy fog, isolated showers, partly sunny and a high of 55F. The Columbia River Gorge forecast calls for scattered showers, partly sunny skies, light west winds, temps near 55F. For the Cascades, there’s packed snow and ice on the highway passes this morning, temperatures are around 25F; scattered snow showers and partly sunny, the snow level is 2,500 feet. Carry chains or traction tires.
Cascades Snow Pack: Currently 42”; a gain of 4” since yesterday; an overall gain of 11” in the past seven days; 95” less than this date last year; 90% below the 30-year average Snow Water Equivalent (total amount of moisture in the snow pack).
Ski Report – New Snow/Base/Condition…
Hoodoo closed
Willamette Pass closed for season
Mt. Bachelor 0”/42”/firm packed
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl summer activities only
Mt. Hood Meadows 2”/32”/packed powder
Timberline 6”/61”/new snow overnight
Marine: Winds are northerly 5-10 knots with seas 7-8 feet at 12-14 seconds this morning. A Small Craft Advisory for winds goes into effect late tonight and runs through tomorrow afternoon. N to NW winds today, 5-10 knots gusting 15, and swells 7 feet at 11 seconds. Expect SW winds tonight and tomorrow morning, 10-20 knots gusting 25, easing to W 15 knots tomorrow afternoon, seas 5-6 feet initially but becoming rough 9 footers at 10 seconds Friday night. Outlook is for southerlies 10-15 knots gusting 20 on Saturday and Sunday, then S 20-25 knots Monday as another front impacts local waters. Swells 8-10 feet are projected through the beginning of next week. Always check the latest Bar Reports before you venture offshore.
On the Beach… Sunshine and clouds, light breeze, surf 6-7 feet (moderate).
* For a safe and enjoyable time on the Central Coast, the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department offers these Beach Safety Tips.
* Tides
04/02 Thu 12:04 PM 7.28 H
04/02 Thu 06:09 PM 0.96 L
04/03 Fri 12:26 AM 7.66 H
04/03 Fri 06:34 AM 0.99 L
In Short: Partial clearing, light wind, rain, then unsettled.