The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.Story & photos by Nancy SteinbergMaybe you’re a bird watcher, or maybe you’re a binge watcher (Just one more “Game of Thrones” and I’m going to bed, I swear). But there’s no watching like storm watching on the Oregon Coast, and we’re smack dab in the middle of peak season. It can be fun to allow the fury of the Pacific make you feel small. Here are some tips for enjoying our tempest-tossed shores during the gale-force months. Peak winter storm season typically runs from November through March. While it doesn’t tend to get cold enough to snow here thanks to the warming influence of the Pacific, our mild winter weather is punctuated by spectacular storms featuring high winds and heavy rain that roll in from the ocean. In the winter, the eastward-flowing atmospheric river of air known as the jet stream intensifies and moves south, pushing rain-bearing weather systems along with it.
These storms form over the ocean, typically where warm and cold air masses collide. This winter we’ve also had a couple of humdingers thanks to the phenomenon known as the “Pineapple Express,” a warm river of atmospheric moisture originating near Hawaii. Where to watch (safe and dry category) There is no need to get soaked (or, worse, hurt) during a winter storm in order to experience great storm watching. Many local oceanfront hotels have special winter rates, making a quick trip to the coast easy and affordable. The Adobe Resort in Yachats offers a front row seat for winter storms. Their Ocean Escape Packages on winter weekdays start at $124 per night for an ocean view room, including breakfast. You can get another view of the storm from the oceanfront dining room of the resort’s award-winning restaurant. The Hallmark Resort in Newport is another great spot for storm watching, affording expansive views both from the guest rooms and from the hotel’s restaurant, Georgie’s Beachside Grill.
Not only does the resort offer winter rates on rooms, but it also has a wide range of special packages that can include anything from passes to the Oregon Coast Aquarium to champagne and roses to a massage. Further north, check out the elegant, modern Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln City. If you need a break from the endless breakers out your window, take advantage of the “Dinner and a Movie” package which includes a dinner credit at a local restaurant; your choice of champagne, wine, or cider; Where to watch (still safe but possibly wet category) If you must get outside to experience the full wrath of a winter storm, safety should be your first concern. Some storms are simply too dangerous for beach walks, so be sure to heed all safety warnings issued by the authorities. If you do venture out, stay up high out of the reach of greedy storm waves, which can always reach further up the beach than you think. Sneaker waves can be deadly.Perfect high spots from which to view spectacular surf include Rocky Creek Scenic Viewpoint near Depoe Bay, the viewpoint at the lighthouse at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, and multiple spots at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area south of Yachats.
One of the great bonuses of coastal storms is the exceptional beachcombing that can often be done after the storm has subsided. The surf is still likely to be gorgeously dramatic the day after a storm, but the conditions might be more conducive to being on the beach (still, don’t turn your back on the ocean). All kinds of fascinating debris is more likely to be found after a storm, including glass Japanese fishing floats, tsunami debris left over from the 2011 tsunami, and interesting biological specimens wrenched from the depths of the ocean. And keep your eyes open for rainbows. If you’re on the beach, you’ve already found the treasure at rainbow’s end. Stay on topic - This helps keep the thread focused on the discussion at hand. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article. Share with Us - We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article, and smart, constructive criticism. Be Civil - It's OK to have a difference in opinion but there's no need to be a jerk.
We reserve the right to delete any comments that we feel are spammy, off-topic, or reckless to the community. Be proactive - Use the 'Flag as Inappropriate' link at the upper right corner of each comment to let us know of abusive posts.An Elmira father and his infant son were swept out to sea by a sneaker wave January 15 near Floras Lake in Curry County. COQUILLE, Ore. - The medical examiner identified a body found Saturday on the Oregon Coast as an Elmira man swept out to sea along with his toddler son by a sneaker wave last month.Jayson Dean Thomas, 31, had his 3-year-old son in a backpack carrier when they were caught by a large wave January 15 near Floras Lake in Curry County.The Coast Guard searched by air while state police and county search and rescue personnel searched the beach.Beachcombers found the body of an adult male February 11 on Horsfall Beach in Coos County.District Attorney Paul Frasier said the family was notified before the identity of the deceased was released to the public.
Sneaker Waves: Danger lurks on the Oregon CoastThomas and his son were caught by a large sneaker wave."This area of the beach has a steep angle to the water and the seas were rough at the time of the incident," Oregon State Police said.Gary Hickenbottom of North Bend is a regular visitor to that beach."The beach is at two levels," he said. "The waves were washing up pretty high against that second level, 3 or 4, 5 feet deep, but then rushed sideways. So, if you were down at the lower level, I was there quite awhile, there was no escaping if you were on that lower level."Researchers at Oregon State are working to determine what causes sneaker waves. Their hope: that science can help forecast the waves - and warn beachgoers about imminent danger.I love this sign. I’ve never heard the term “sneaker waves” before. It sounds very serious, but the thought of waves being sneaky totally made me laugh.A: Come make it a day at the beach…or two…or a whole week! The list of fun things to do in and around Florence is very long.
See our “Fun Things To Do” page for an extensive, but hardly exhaustive, list of activities and attractions. A: The weather is usually much milder here than in the nearby Willamette Valley. Our summer temperatures are usually in the 60’s to 70’s, but often warmer, depending on how close to the ocean you get. Our winters are mild with about the same rainfall as the Willamette Valley. However, we have a lot of breaks between storms, usually with very nice weather. We often have crystal clear blue skies when the Valley is blanketed in fog. It seldom snows or freezes in Florence. We have flowers year round and some of the freshest air on the planet come in right off the beautiful Pacific Ocean. A: No, our lodging prices are very competitive. The cost of dining in Florence is typically less than in the cities. Gas prices are generally among of the lowest in the state. Shopping is very reasonable and a ton of fun. A: Winter is a great time to come to Florence! Dune riding, golf, hiking, and horseback riding are still great wintertime activities.
There are multiple vista points within a short drive up and down the coast for exciting storm watching! Our staff can direct you to the best places! Winter on the Oregon Coast is a great time to storm watch. These dramatic, landscape-shifting events are thrilling, but come with an element of danger. If you’re out on the beach, be watchful of large waves, sneaker waves, rip currents, and rolling driftwood. Though there are hundreds of whales that make the Central Oregon Coast their year-around home, peak whale watching starts in late December when grey whales begin their annual southern migration. In March, the grey whales start their northern migration. There are many excellent places for whale watching all year just a few miles north of Florence. Ask our staff for advice on the best viewing spots and how to learn more. Winter really is a great time to go golfing on either of our two local 18-hole golf courses. Because they are built on sand, they are playable within minutes of a rain shower.
Check out our great golf packages, and let our staff help you book your tee times. Decompress while watching winter sunsets near the Siuslaw River jetties or along the ocean bluffs. Bring your camera…they can be breathtaking. Delicious Dungeness crabs await your bait off the docks during winter while lake and river fishing fluctuates with the weather. Ask our front-desk staff for the latest reports. The Oregon Department of Fishing and Wildlife website also has the updated information on fishing, clamming, crabbing, and wildlife viewing. Winter hikes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation area reveal nature’s artistry after winter storms carve fantastic shapes out of the dunes, and winter rains bring the many area waterfalls to their peak, awe-striking beauty. Our staff have maps and can direct you to the best websites to plan your hikes. Florence is also becoming a great geocaching destination. There is always excellent antiquing and fun shopping in Historic Old Town Florence, just steps away from the River House Inn.