The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland, Oregon provides crucial marine forecasts for coastal waters from Cape Shoalwater, Washington, to Florence, Oregon, extending 60 nautical miles westward. This detailed forecast, issued at 7:19 AM PST on Friday, February 28, 2025, outlines marine conditions, including wind speed, wave height, and potential hazards for both near-shore and offshore waters. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until 10 AM PST this morning.
Synopsis and Nearshore Forecast (Up to 10 NM)
High pressure dominates through the week, bringing calmer conditions initially. Seas, currently elevated, will gradually decrease today before a long-period westerly swell arrives on Saturday. The National Weather Service Portland Oregon forecasts north winds 5-10 knots today, decreasing to 5-10 knots tonight, backing to west after midnight. Seas will subside from 8-10 feet to 6-8 feet this afternoon, then build to 9-12 feet overnight. Patchy dense fog is expected tonight. Saturday brings southwest winds around 5 knots, increasing to 10 knots in the afternoon, with seas building to 11-13 feet and a chance of showers.
The forecast for Sunday calls for northwest winds 10-15 knots, with seas 9-11 feet and showers. Similar conditions persist Sunday night, with northwest winds 5-10 knots and seas 8-10 feet. Showers are likely. Monday sees west winds 5-10 knots, with seas 6-9 feet and likely showers. Monday night, south winds 5-10 knots are expected with seas 6-7 feet and a chance of showers, increasing to likely after midnight. Tuesday’s forecast includes south winds around 10 knots, seas 5-7 feet, and showers. Tuesday night, southeast winds around 10 knots are anticipated, with seas 5-8 feet and likely showers transitioning to likely rain after midnight. These conditions, as reported by the National Weather Service Portland Oregon, highlight the dynamic nature of the coastal marine environment.
Offshore Forecast (10 to 60 NM)
The National Weather Service Portland Oregon has also issued a forecast for offshore waters. Today, north winds 5-10 knots are expected with 7-10 foot seas. Tonight, similar winds will shift westerly after midnight, with seas building to 10-13 feet. Saturday brings southwest to south winds around 5 knots increasing to 10 knots, with seas reaching 13-14 feet and a chance of showers increasing to likely. Saturday night, winds shift from southwest (10 knots) to northwest after midnight, with seas 11-12 feet and likely showers. Sunday’s forecast features strong northwest winds 10-15 knots, gusting to 20 knots, with seas 10-12 feet and likely showers. Similar conditions continue Sunday night. Monday sees westerly winds around 10 knots, with seas subsiding to 7-9 feet and a chance of showers.
Monday night, southwest winds around 10 knots are expected with 6-7 foot seas and a chance of showers increasing to likely after midnight. Tuesday brings south winds 10-15 knots, with seas 6-7 feet and showers. Tuesday night, south winds will persist around 10 knots, with seas building slightly to 7-8 feet and likely showers transitioning to likely rain after midnight. These forecasts from the National Weather Service Portland Oregon underscore the need for mariners to stay updated on changing conditions.
Columbia River Bar Forecast
The National Weather Service Portland Oregon has issued a Small Craft Advisory for the Columbia River Bar through Saturday morning. Seas in the main channel are expected to build from 7 feet to 12 feet by Saturday afternoon. Strong ebb currents are predicted: 6.22 knots at 4:56 PM Friday (seas 10 feet), 5.75 knots at 5:24 AM Saturday (seas 12-14 feet), and 5.92 knots at 5:36 PM Saturday (seas 13-15 feet). These strong currents and building seas pose significant hazards to small craft.
