Oregon Coast Weather Forecasting Winter

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 402 Posts Portland Obsessed

OK, you Coast experts. Any advice for forecasting weather for winter coast conditions? Is the NOAA forecast good to go by?

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 881 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

If you are going to just use another's forecast rather than doing it yourself. NOAA is the best for the coastal winds.

However, if you are going to learn to do it yourself, there are some great sources of intel available on the internet. Here is one I use almost religiously:

http://www.atmos.washington.edu/mm5rt/

Good luck figuring it out.

Question

Inflictor · Since 17 Aug 2013 146 Posts Stoked

MJ (windian) and I have been doing our own forecasting for years and the most important thing is to keep an eye on these models every day and get to know their tendencies. after a while(like 20 yrs or so) you'll get it! For instance, me and my buddy will be getting great 6 m conditions TODAY out east in 65 degrees with 60 degree water while everyone else is waiting for some kinda south wind event at the coast in the future. It becomes almost as much fun nailing the forecast as ripping in it!!!

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1210 Posts Seaside BRACKISH

Agree it is fair to say that NOAA will provide enough good info to plan a full day to catching a session if you are talking about southerlies. Been here for 12+ years and within a day is the best you are going to get, though that UW model mash is pretty accurate most of the time. South wind is inconsistent and can blow one way for a couple hours then another or not at all for another couple. By "way" I don't mean direction as much as strength, to include or exclude rain and squalls. If NOAA says it is going to blow with rain 15+ you're in!! Come git it