David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I was on the Oregon coast in late September and got this photo of Arcadia Beach

DSC_4713-Pano.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

Also visited Crater Lake and got this

DSC_4843-Pano.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

The occasion was a reunion of USAF radar troops who'd been stationed on Mt. Hebo near Tillamook. We had pretty good weather--a little rain one day, but Mt. Hebo is one of the wettest places in the country.

SuperFly48 Loc: NE ILLINOIS

I love it.....the Pacific NorthWET! AMEN to that. Most anytime after Labor Day you can get a rain event that will mess with your best laid plans. Was out there mid September 2016, played dodge ball with a rain event for four days. Tried to guess the path of the rain and outmaneuver it. First time out there was October 2014, again tried to outmaneuver the weather. Experienced a few of the weather moods of Crater Lake that trip. Warm sunny late afternoon one day. Next day started out sunny then a gale blew in off the ocean, watched the snow squalls move across the valley and into the park. Last day drove through Crater Lake for one last look and there was around 8" to 10" of fresh snow, the first measurable snowfall for the season there that year. I took my granddaughter to the Pac NW this June past, her first real vacation. Had booked our flight out for June 7th, then it was suggested I push it back. Glad I did. They had rain on and off especially the week of June 14th. Arrived in Portland on June 21st and had five days of near perfect weather for the Cascades and the Oregon coast. It really is a "crap shoot" out there but worth it when it all comes together.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The truism we have here on the Coast is that if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. If you're looking for decent weather, watch the weather patterns for long term high pressure systems building in the West. These can persist for days. If you're looking for waves, watch for strong westerly storms that can run for several days and build 20-30 foot swells. Shore Acres near Coos Bay is a great place for dramatic breakers when this happens.

Bill Newbe

A little further north there are a lot of maples and this year was a good year for maple color. They become a larger percentage nearer the middle of Washington. I got one or two good shots this year. I have in the past I have driven north to south to find good color. There are still areas in the PNW with good color (right next to areas with all the leaves on the ground). I have called Arbortetums to find out if the trees have turned and their color. It is random as to which area will be in nice color a year out but if you are willing to do a one or two day drive you should be able to find some nice color. It started raining here about 2 weeks ago and it has not stopped. All the colors are muted. Two years ago it was dry most of the winter. Good luck.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

David, were these pictures from this year? You sure did get some nice weather!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

2015 was the last time I did the length of the coast and had horrible fog, cold, and wind--first week of June. But I've had some beautiful weather other years and know just what you mean about trying to out-maneuver the weather pockets but leaving the itinerary flexible. Still, I sure would like to at least have a few nice days along the coast for late afternoon and night shooting.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

The fires on the Oregon coast were south. The central and north Oregon coast offer different things. North would include Fort Stevens, Astoria (the troley stops running the first of October), the maritime museum in Astoria provides one day if the weather turns to rain. The central coast would include Depot Bay and Newport. Whale watching at Depot Bay and shops. Newport has the Oregon Coast Aquarium and offers cover from rain if that happens. However, I can spend several days in row at the OCA. Yaquina Bay Bridge & harbor and South Jetty State Park offer good shooting opportunities. I hope this short descrition helps.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I'd definitely like to go back to Shore Acres in hopes of seeing it under better weather conditions than last time. Watching weather forecasts really doesn't work when trying to book air travel 10 months out, so I'm hopeful that feedback here will help improve the odds of picking a favorable time. I can swing towards/and away from the coast and find plenty to photograph, but would really like to stay on the coast if the weather allows this time.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Oops, double post.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

If the dry winter was a precursor of the fires you've had this year, the current rains must be a welcome sight. Your mention of pockets of color right next to areas where the leaves are gone sounds like the same thing I'm seeing here in WNC. But for the next trip, I'll be more hopeful of seeing lush foliage than going in search of autumn color. So September sounds more promising...I hope?

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Yes. The Acadia Beach photo was shot on 20 Sep and Crater Lake on the 26th. I was in Oregon from the 19th through the 26th, and we had decent weather pretty much the whole time. Having spent 4 years in coastal Oregon 1960-1964, I was a little surprised. (Spending 2 1/2 years on Mt. Hebo is a real eye-opener--150mph winds, snow 15 feet high, 300 inches of rain/snow a year--quite challenging. However, the 3 months of summer--June, July, August--are gorgeous!)

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I was very aware of the fire in the Columbia River Gorge, but did not realize there had been fire along the coast. How widespread was the southern fire, and did it extend as far down as the Jedidiah Smith Redwood Forest? I haven't been to South Jetty SP but will look it up and bookmark it to include. There are so many attractions all along the coast for me and I look forward to getting back. Thanks for the reminder of the 'sweet spots' to stop and visit, chapjohn.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I don't know whether to be pleased that your dates match what I've been plugging in for my air travel searches or concerned that your good weather surprised you!

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

I lived in Newport for 10 years and in Portland for 10 1990 to 2010 it is hard to predict BUT, when the weather starts cooling down in the valley { IE Eugene } and their highs are around the same degree's as the coast you get REALLY nice weather {Indian summer}, last 5 to 14 days the same in the spring, when it starts warming up in the valley and is about the same degree's as the coast it is really nice, very low wind and clear skies {for the coast} !!! { makes me wonder why I moved back to sacramento ca!!! heavy sigh!!!} good luck

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Sure wish I had a crystal ball to see the weather forecast 10 months from now, Bill, but if we leave our itinerary open, your tip just might come in handy if we move back and forth between the coast and mountains. Newport is a beautiful town IMO and would be hard to leave, but Portland is a bit too congested for my taste, even though it has many beautiful attractions.