Is there always fog in Brookings? (Portland, Redwood: how much, schools, campground)

[appreski]

My husband and I will be moving to Brookings to retire. I have had lung problems in the past and feel that this area would be much better for me. I've looked at the Brookings Harbor webcam this past week and every time I do, there's fog. How much fog does Brookings really have?

[tiffela74]

keep in mind too, even if theres fog right on the bay/harbor, then often times, even within a block inland, its clear.
My husband makes a weekly trip to Brookings and he says "Nope, its not always foggy" Second hand infor, but there ya go.
Good luck, and hopefully someone that lives there can help you out more,
Tiffany

[westvillemama]

There is usually fog in Brookings. There is not "always" fog in Brookings. When the sun does shine though, it's gorgeous, and very welcome!

[FVWinters]

I used to visit Brookings frequently during the mid 90's and found it not that foggy. I don't have stats to back this up but my sense is it is less foggy than Gold Beach, about 20 miles north or Port Orford at another 20 miles beyond Gold Beach. Someone who actually lives in the region can check me.
Drive up either Checto River Road a few miles and you generally lose the fog, anyway. The same is true driving inland on the Winchuck road near the California border. Nice swimming hole there about 4 miles off US101.
About 8 miles east of town on the North Checto Road is the most northerly stand of Redwoods in the US. One tree there is nearly 300 feet high and 16 feet through the trunk.
Brookings has a weather oddity that I don't believe is found anywhere else in Oregon. The locals call it the "Checto Effect" and it is essentially a small scale Santa Ana wind. It is very localized and doesn't occur frequently. But when it does, you notice it!! I once left Gold Beach in pleasant 68-70 degree weather with a 15 or so mile north-northeast wind. When I hit Brookings, less than 30 minutes away, the thermometer stood at 98. And stayed there untill just after sunset.
To summarize: yeah, there is fog and it may hang for a few days (though I personally never experienced that) but a five mile trip inland generally takes care of that. As with the rest of western Oregon winter weather here can be really gloomy. And, of course you may already know some of the above but I am assuming, for the moment, you are from out of state. In any case...Welcome.

[Terryj]

Brookings isn't called the Oregon coast "banana belt" for no reason. It can and does get very warm in Brookings during the summer. The fog, when it does come in, doesn't stay very long in the summer months, the winter is a different story.

[mdvaden]

It's really pretty cool in it's own way - the fog it gets.

Not constant, but plenty.

Give it a shot - it's a neat little town.

If I was not acclimated to the north state big city area, with the north coast nearby, I'd consider Brookings if I was retired.

I went to the campground next to it, almost every two weeks for the three years that we lived 2 hours to the east in Applegate Valley with a Jacksonville address.

As for the weather in Brookings - I thrive on that kind of weather.

Active garden club if you are into that kind of thing.

[tiffela74]

OMG.....i dont think fog was too much of an issue yesterday, not with a temperature of 108!!! jeez....
I hear it was already in the upper 80s by 6am this morning too.....

well then.......
Tiff

[appreski]

I'd like to thank all of you who responded. I'm heading to Brookings to find a home. You've convienced me.

[nanannie]

Fog or no fog, I would love to hear from parents who are raising kids in Brookings. It seems like an ideal childhood experience .Would love to know what thats like with schools, activities,teachers etc. It seems no one in Brookings has kids.

[Chrysaliswriter]

Nanannie, I am really puzzled by Brookings weather features! We live in the burbs of Portland, Oregon. We are here because our kids are here, but we met and married in Tucson, AZ and have lived in sunbelt states with husband's work for over 30 years. He is still employed and I am essentially retired. We are trying to find a place where it is less wet, is warmer, is less populated and would be family friendly (for when our children and grandkids come to visit). We have heard that Brookings gets a ton of rain. We've also heard that Portland doesn't get that much rain! OK. in my book, Portland is very rainy - most of the time. There are years when it is less rainy - but believe me, there is always enough of the wet stuff falling from the sky - more than I like. When I look at the graphs provided on City Data Forum, I see alot of sunshine for Brookings, albeit Nov., Dec. and Jan. have below national average for sunny days. How can Brookings have so much sunshine AND so much rain AND so much fog!!?? It is perplexing to me. Are there patches of Brookings residential areas that have less fog? We need to make a visit there, but it likely won't be before next summer. If anyone could be more specific about Brookings climate features, I would be so grateful!!