Coastal Services Center

---

Pacific Northwest Pilot

---

Observing and Predicting Storms

Helping scientists improve prediction capabilities has to be a top priority of any hazard mitigation strategy. The Coastal Storms Program, therefore, is striving to bring new tools and data to help this ongoing effort in the coastal regions of Oregon and Washington.

Improved Oceanographic and Meteorological Observations
An increasing coastal population means that a growing number of people are at risk during coastal storms. To accurately forecast storm-related impacts and warn vulnerable populations, marine forecasters and coastal managers need real-time access to reliable and standardized oceanographic and meteorological observations.

Improved Prediction of Coastal Waves
The Pacific Northwest experiences some of the most severe weather in the country. Notable among these threats are battering waves affecting the nearshore region and coastal river bars. The Columbia River Bar is one of the most dangerous navigation hazards in the United States. Through the Coastal Storms Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) is developing a high-resolution wave model for the Columbia River and the nearby coastal waters of Washington , Oregon , and Northern California . This model will provide guidance to NWS forecasters as they prepare marine forecasts, bar condition reports, and sea-state warnings.