Stay off beaches, rocks, jetties and piers along the southern Oregon coast Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service high surf warning runs from 10 a.m. Pacific Friday, Nov. 13, through 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. It covers beaches in Curry, Coos and Douglas counties, including Charleston, Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings.
Forecasters expect breaking waves of 20 to 25 feet Friday, rising to 30 to 35 feet late Friday and into Saturday. Those are heights at the breakers. Waves can run up the beach and reach areas that are usually dry. The Weather Service also warns that the surf could damage shoreline infrastructure and cause significant beach erosion.
The warning covers more than the waterline
The Weather Service advises staying off waterside structures as well as the sand. That includes jetties and piers where a wave can reach someone standing above the water. If your plans take you to the coast, check the Medford forecast office and heed posted restrictions at the beach or park.
Waves are forecast to ease somewhat late Saturday, when breakers could still reach 24 to 27 feet. Forecasters expect beaches to remain hazardous through Sunday and possibly into Monday. Check the latest warning before returning to the shoreline.
