Wet and windy conditions are going to hit coastal and southwestern Oregon beginning tonight (THURSDAY).
Brett Lutz of the National Weather Service in Medford told KLCC that the heaviest rainfall will be in Coos County, Gold Beach, and Brookings, which will see between 2-4 inches.
Other areas will see roughly an inch of rain. But Lutz warns that in areas heavily hit by recent wildfires, this could still be a hazard.
“With the drought and how dry the vegetation actually has been, there are soils out there that cannot absorb the water the way they used to be able to. And when that water runs off more rapidly in those burn scar areas, we can see flooding and debris and landslides.”
Urban areas with heavy leaf fall may experience clogged sewer drains and “ponding” on roadways. Drivers are advised to be cautious between now and early next week.
As for parts of the southwestern Oregon coastline, turbulent conditions are predicted beginning Friday, making conditions hazardous for ships and beachcombers.
Lutz said to expect a high surf advisory.
“Breaking wave heights of 22 to 25 feet, but as we get into Sunday into Monday, wave heights could get in excess of 35 feet,” he said.
“There’s significant concerns to life and property along the shore line, it’s definitely not going to be the weekend and Monday to do any beachcombing just because the surf’s just going to be too dangerous.”
There’ll also be moderate rainfall inland across the Medford area and Eugene during this stormy period, with some areas in Oregon, Washington, and California seeing winds up to 40-50 miles per hour.
Lutz added there’s also mountain snow expected in some areas.
“Anyone thinking about going into the high country should definitely check weather forecasts because we we’ll see high winds and low visibility conditions, and once you get up above about 6,000-ft. elevations, there will be some blizzard conditions at times.”
Motorists should bring chains, and check weather forecasts and TripCheck.com before heading up to high altitude areas including Crater Lake on up to the Cascades.
Copyright 2021, KLCC.
