As another in a series of North Pacific cyclones brushed the Washington outer coast overnight and into Saturday, Dec. 14, Pacific County experienced moderately strong winds and rain. Between midnight and 4 a.m. Saturday, the winds at 120 feet elevation at Cape Disappointment gusted up to 62 mph with a steady speed up to 50 mph, out of due south or the SSE.

The Columbia River bar buoy, sitting closer to the ocean’s surface at about 12 feet, recorded SSW winds up to 43 mph overnight, with gusts as high as 56 mph.

The overnight high tide reached 11.6 feet at Toke Point on Pacific County’s north shore at 4 a.m., but the midday tide is expected to climb higher. “Tides are expected to peak around 11 a.m. Saturday. Toke Point tidal gauge is expected to peak around 12.9 feet; Tongue Point [near Astoria] tidal gauge is expected to peak around 11.8 feet, and Garibaldi [in north Tillamook County] tidal gauge is expected to peak around 10.9 feet,” according to the National Weather Service, which predicts minor coastal flooding in low-lying areas.

A high surf advisory is in effect throughout the day Saturday, with breakers to 25 feet. Surf watchers should be vigilant for danger and stay off jetties and other places subject to over-washing waves.