How bad are the Winters in Seaside? (Portland, Newport: how much, vacation home)

[Skye Ford]

Hello, I am seriously thinking of moving to the Oregon Coast from Tucson Az and would like to know how bad or good the winters are? I suffer all summer long in the Tucson heat just to enjoy the mild winter months (originally from Ohio) But I have a lung disease Alpha 1 (genetic emphysema) and the temperatures above 100 degrees really are unbearable, so I stay indoors all summer long ! The climate graph doesn't show very cold temperatures for Seaside, but I've seen photos of snow? I don't mind snow if it only lasts days and not weeks or months , any observations or suggestions ? I'm retired so employment is not an issue, thanks !

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Skye Ford

Hello, I am seriously thinking of moving to the Oregon Coast from Tucson Az and would like to know how bad or good the winters are? I suffer all summer long in the Tucson heat just to enjoy the mild winter months (originally from Ohio) But I have a lung disease Alpha 1 (genetic emphysema) and the temperatures above 100 degrees really are unbearable, so I stay indoors all summer long ! The climate graph doesn't show very cold temperatures for Seaside, but I've seen photos of snow? I don't mind snow if it only lasts days and not weeks or months , any observations or suggestions ? I'm retired so employment is not an issue, thanks !

It generally snows on the Oregon Coast less than once per year. Though last year I saw it two times. Once was a major snowstorm with over six inches of accumulation. It stayed on the ground and road surfaces for about three or four days. The other time was just light snow I saw while driving. It wasn't accumulating on the road surface. Those are the only two snowfalls I have personally seen on the coast in four years.

I don't think you should worry about snow on the Oregon Coast. But be prepared for it, because it does happen once in awhile.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I had a house in Yachats and weather stays pretty close around 60 degrees all year. There seems to be a dividing line for rain storms where they hit at Newport and above, so I suspect that Seaside would get more rain than Yachats.

Heavy rain is not the norm. Mostly, it is a sort of drippy fog. But I don't know what you get that far north in the state. When there is a big storm, it is a doozy, so make sure you get a house that is securely fastened down. Storm watching is a favorite activity at the coast and people drive over to stay at the coast to enjoy it when the big storms are raging.

There is some really good crabbing just south of there if you are interested in that.

Snow isn't impossible, but it is rare. If you would like to play in the snow, sometimes there is snow at the top of the coast range; drive to it, play, and then go home.

[Metlakatla]

You need to ask your doctor how high humidity might affect your lung condition.

[USDefault]

Originally Posted by Skye Ford

Hello, I am seriously thinking of moving to the Oregon Coast from Tucson Az and would like to know how bad or good the winters are?

Pretty good. There are many grey days, and there is light misting rain. But the temps are moderate. And snow is rare -- and getting more rare as the PNW's average temperatures inexorably trend higher. There may be years where you don't see any snow at all. And the Pacific Ocean is a great moderating force which keeps the temps above freezing, and it's not uncommon to have days in the 50s during the winter. You'll see people in shorts and hooded parkas riding bikes and jogging all winter long.

For comparison, an Arizona winter night is much like a PNW winter night: chilly, appropriate clothing required, but usually not freezing (and winter nights in Arizona can get cold). An Arizona winter day will be warmer for sure, but the temps in the PNW are fairly moderate during the winter. Finally, I've seen much bigger rainstorms in Arizona during the winter than I've ever seen here. Last January there was a torrential rainstorm in Scottsdale that was shutting down roads after just a few hours; that kind of intense rain is very rare here.

[SumTingy]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

I had a house in Yachats and weather stays pretty close around 60 degrees all year. There seems to be a dividing line for rain storms where they hit at Newport and above, so I suspect that Seaside would get more rain than Yachats.

Heavy rain is not the norm. Mostly, it is a sort of drippy fog. But I don't know what you get that far north in the state. When there is a big storm, it is a doozy, so make sure you get a house that is securely fastened down. Storm watching is a favorite activity at the coast and people drive over to stay at the coast to enjoy it when the big storms are raging.

There is some really good crabbing just south of there if you are interested in that.

Snow isn't impossible, but it is rare. If you would like to play in the snow, sometimes there is snow at the top of the coast range; drive to it, play, and then go home.

I love Yachats. We must have stayed at the Fireside Inn close to a dozen times. If there was one place I would pick to have a vacation home, it would be near there. That beach is almost deserted. I don't know how many times we walk down to the beach only only see a small handful of people.

[ProtoStrata]

Snow near the beach is rare, but can happen during any winter. The coast, though, is normally the least-snowy part of the state, but also the rainiest.

Also, I don't know how much this factors into your search, but bear in mind that Seaside is and always has been a tourist getaway, specifically for people living in and around Portland, so expect large crowds throughout the summer and, especially, on holidays. Winters are much quieter, though some businesses shut down. Except for two roads that cross the hills to the east, US 101 is the only way to enter or leave the town and traffic can grind to a near-halt at times, like yesterday when I was there (spent 45 minutes crawling for seven miles from Cannon Beach to Seaside.) Of course, Seaside's neighborhoods and everything east of the highway are always quiet, but driving anywhere on busier days can be annoying. The entire coast attracts large crowds, of course, but Seaside and Lincoln City tend to be the busiest and most tourist-oriented towns, while other towns are usually less busy.

[DKM]

If you like 50 degrees and rain, you'll be in heaven.

[Skye Ford]

Thanks everyone for the replies .. it was 104 degrees again today in Tucson, can't stick my head out until sundown !

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Originally Posted by DKM

If you like 50 degrees and rain, you'll be in heaven.

That's about the truth of it.
Winters on the north coast can be pretty miserable.

When you visit this time of year, notice the degraded condition of the older houses, the huge amount of moss on the trees, and how many trees seem to have all the branches on one side.

That should give you a hint that the coast isn't always happy brightness and carefree sunshine.

San Diego it isn't.