High Wind — Central Coast, Oregon

1998-12-25 to 1998-12-26 · Central Coast, Oregon

Wider weather episode

A Christmas Day Pacific storm brought high winds to the coast, freezing rain to the Columbia River Gorge, heavy snow to the Cascades, and heavy rain to Northwest Oregon, which contributed to a major flood episode a few days later. Winds along the coast included Sea Lion Caves 61 gusting to 72 mph, Netarts 45 gusting to 70 mph, Newport 52 gusting to 67 mph, gusts to 69 mph at Seaside, Cannon Beach 50 gusting to 59 mph, and gusts to 63 mph at Tillamook, 60 mph at Yachats, and 59 mph at Astoria and Yaquina lighthouse. The last of the cold air from the arctic outbreak the previous week filtered through the Columbia River Gorge and caused freezing rain that created hazardous holiday driving conditions on Interstate 84. In the Cascades, Timberline Lodge reported 8 inches of new snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5677701. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.