Ahoy!
The nice summer-like weather that we have been experiencing is replaced today with gloomy, drizzly skies and building seas. A few storm systems, which started in the Gulf of Alaska, are moving down the Pacific Coast and bringing rain to the Southern California. Showers are possible starting today and likely on Saturday and into next week. You might want to plan indoor activities for this weekend, such as cleaning the inside cabin of your boat, and remember to check your bilge pumps and scuppers.
For those who are planning to travel up to Northern California, Oregon, or Washington, the storm is pounding those areas with heavy showers and winds. Located on the north side of Yaquina Bay is Newport, OR, experiencing over 16-foot seas with winds gusting to just under 20 knots. Good news for skiers as the Sierras should receive a good snowfall.
We are expecting the calm before storm sea conditions that will build into northwest swells predicted for the first part of next week. Weekend swells will be approximately 3 feet from the west, but keep an eye out as the swells pounding Newport, OR, are coming down the coast.
Our winds will be shifting as the systems move through the area, and you can expect southern winds today that will clock around to westerly winds Saturday night and into Sunday. The winds will maintain a speed averaging 10 knots, but watch for gusts up to 15 knots on Saturday. The daytime air temperatures will be in the mid- to low 60s along the coast, and nighttime temperatures in the mid- to low 50s through the weekend.
As always, with an eye to the north, Point Conception will not be the place to be in a boat as the storms move though creating 9-foot swells with winds gusting to 25 knots with 3-foot wind waves over the weekend.
Remember, to always check the sea and weather conditions before you leave the dock, and check your boat during and after the winds and rains.
Safe Voyages,
Mike Whitehead, Capt.
