From the County Emergency Management Dept.: 2010-2011 Winter Forecast – Winter Will Be Worst in Pacific Northwest!
It appears La Nina is definitely taking hold in the Pacific. Water temperatures are 2-3 degrees below normal which is a strong indicator of a harsh winter for the Pacific Northwest.  AccuWeather.com Chief Meteorologist Joe Bastardi predicts the Winter’s Worst Cold & Snow will be in the Pacific Northwest reaching all the way to the Great Lakes.  Cities like Portland & Seattle who experienced mild winters last year are forecast to be much colder and snowier this year.

Becky Baker photo of treasure diggers, last weekend.

It may be pretty miserable out there right now, but based on this weather forecast, people will be digging the beaches again this weekend:

Fri
Jun 11

AM Showers

Sat
Jun 12

Sunny

68°
51°

0%

Read more…

From the County: The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement. Heavy rainfall and wind will impact the area over the next few days. Wednesday day will see continuing heavy rainfall (total amounts from the storm will be near 1 ½” – 2”) with sustained South winds along the coast between 33-36 mph gusting to 45-50 mph. The wind will subside through the day Wednesday to 14-17 mph from the West.  Thursday night and Friday will bring a second fast moving storm front which will bring more wind and rain although it is not expected to be as severe as the earlier storm.

From the County and National Weather Service: There are a pair of strong late season Pacific storm systems that will move into the Pacific NW. The first will move onshore tonight and Wednesday that will primarily produce seasonably heavy rainfall amounts.  This storm has tapped into sub-tropical moisture – see this link .

Just after noon on Friday, we here in Ocean Shores are finally getting some relief from the relentlessly blazing sun. Thank goodness we at last have some cooling clouds, delightful breeze and gentle rain!

The official North Coast News visitor-friendly forecast, for this holiday weekend:

This afternoon: While there is a 20% chance of blinding, dangerous sunshine, you’re generally safe, as there’s an 80% chance of skin-invigorating, healthy rain. A steady, 20-25 mph wind makes it perfect for flying kites, or hitting the bar.

Saturday: A senses-stimulating, sideways morning rain is the perfect start to the day! The afternoon will have stretches where it’s dry enough to dash to your car, without getting entirely soaked. This just in: sun, on Saturday afternoon!

Sunday: Only 20% chance of rain! A Memorial Day weekend record, for Ocean Shores! If you’re visiting, please be careful of us Locals, stumbling around squinting in the sun like moles emerged from the depths of the earth . . .

Memorial Day: It’ll probably rain, but don’t be a baby. If God had meant for us to stay dry, He wouldn’t have invented precipitation. Or Ocean Shores.

Good, reasonably-priced rooms are still available, so cast away your urban ennui and come on out to the beach, hunt for glass floats, collect sand dollars and agates, don’t touch the baby seals, watch for deer and bears (!) while you’re driving around our newly paved city, visit our charmingly quirky shops, check out the big show (wood carvers, classic cars, home expo) at the Convention Center, marvel at our fancy new Roundabout intersection (“What part of ‘Yield’ don’t you understand?!”), coffee up and watch the waves at the Jetty, hike through the marvelous Weatherwax, try your luck at the Quinault Casino, rent a moped, go miniature golfing, eat, drink and be rainy.

See? This is what it was like just yesterday, and will be, again . . .

From the PUD: Aberdeen- Real time wind speeds and direction are now available from Ocean Shores thanks to a newly installed wind reporting station.

Class, what do we normally have out here on the coast, after a big wind storm?

a) big party at the beach

b) big rainbows leading to pots of LID money

c) big pre-historic animals stirred up from the depths of the ocean

d) big waves

From the County: The National Weather Service in Seattle has downgraded the High Wind Warning the for the Coastal areas of Washington. There is still a High Surf Advisory in effect until 5pm Thursday evening with waves in the 20 foot range which will cause localized beach erosion and rip currents.

From the County: The National Weather Service in Seattle, has issued a High Wind Warning for the entire Coastal area of Washington in effect from 3pm Wednesday to midnight tonight.  Winds will increase through the day with the highest gusts expected between 7 & 8pm tonight. There is also a High Surf Advisory in effect from 5pm Wednesday until 11am Thursday morning with waves in the 20-25 foot range which will cause localized beach erosion and rip currents. High tide is 6:34pm.

After confirming with the National Weather Service office in Seattle at 2:30pm this afternoon, the forecast looks pretty solid with winds gusting 60 to 70mph as a distinct possibility in Westport, Ocean Shores and the beach areas.

The National Weather Service is conducting Skywarn Weather Spotter  training in Pacific Beach on May 18th, hosted by the Quinault Nation and Grays Harbor County Emergency Management.  The training will be held at  the Pacific Beach Fire Station and run from 630 to 9 PM. It includes how the weather spotter program works, and how to look for and report  significant weather events.