Columbia River Bar Conditions

Cape Disappointment, WA • Mouth of Columbia River

Buoy 10 AI Fishing Guide Donate

AI Condition Analysis

HIGH RISK
Hazardous conditions exist due to a large, long-period ocean swell and opposing winds, creating dangerous breaking waves on the bar despite a temporary mitigating flood tide.
Confidence Level 95%
Show Detailed Analysis
Contributing Factors
Tide
15% weight
The current flood tide is temporarily suppressing wave steepness, but the imminent and strong ebb tide will create exceptionally dangerous conditions by opposing the swell.
Swell
25% weight
A 9.8-foot swell with a long 12-second period carries immense energy, generating large, powerful, and hazardous breaking waves as it moves into the shallower bar area.
Wind
20% weight
Winds of 15-20 knots from the northwest are creating a significant surface chop on top of the swell, further complicating vessel handling and increasing the risk of taking water.
Weather
15% weight
The forecast for rain showers may reduce visibility and make spotting hazardous waves more difficult, adding an additional layer of risk to the crossing.
Bar status
25% weight
Columbia River Bar Status RESTRICTED Last Updated: 05/16/2026, 07:51:04 PM Conditions: Report Time: 5/16/2026 12:51 PM. Status: Restricted. Conditions: MAIN CHANNEL 4-6 FEET, MIDDLE GROUNDS 3-5 FEET, PEACOCK SPIT 6-8 FEET, CLATSOP SPIT 5-7 FEET. WINDS ARE 10-15 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHWEST. VISIBILITY IS 05 NAUTICAL MILES. THE COLUMBIA RIVER BAR IS CURRENTLY RESTRICTED TO RECREATIONAL AND UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS 21 FEET IN LENGTH OR LESS WEST OF BUOY 10.. Restrictions: Recreational:21 FEET AND LESS / Uninspected Passenger Vessels:21 FEET AND LESS
Recommendation
All vessels under 21 feet must not cross per the official restriction. All other recreational and small commercial vessels are strongly advised against crossing. Experienced mariners on larger vessels should only consider a brief transit near slack high tide (1:37 PM) with extreme caution and no plan for a return trip until conditions significantly improve.
Analysis generated on 05/16/2026, 3:00 PM

Columbia River Bar Crossing Guidance:

High tides and flood currents are generally preferred for bar crossing due to deeper water and smoother wave conditions. Low tides and ebb currents can create dangerous standing waves.

Important Safety Disclaimer:

This is general guidance only. Always check current bar conditions, weather, swell height, and official USCG reports before crossing. Conditions can change rapidly and override tide preferences.

Current Status

Columbia River Bar Status
RESTRICTED
Last Updated: 05/16/2026, 12:51:04 PM

Conditions:

Report Time: 5/16/2026 12:51 PM. Status: Restricted. Conditions: MAIN CHANNEL 4-6 FEET, MIDDLE GROUNDS 3-5 FEET, PEACOCK SPIT 6-8 FEET, CLATSOP SPIT 5-7 FEET. WINDS ARE 10-15 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHWEST. VISIBILITY IS 05 NAUTICAL MILES. THE COLUMBIA RIVER BAR IS CURRENTLY RESTRICTED TO RECREATIONAL AND UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS 21 FEET IN LENGTH OR LESS WEST OF BUOY 10..

Restrictions:

  • Recreational:21 FEET AND LESS / Uninspected Passenger Vessels:21 FEET AND LESS
Source: USCG

Marine Conditions

Wind
16 kt
WNW (300°)
Gusts to 19 kt
Swell
9.8 ft
WNW @ 12s
Waves
9.8 ft
Visibility
10 nm
Barometer
30.24"
Updated
02:30:00 PM

Forecast Planning

48-Hour Weather Forecast

Today
Day
Rain Showers Likely
56°F
18 mph NW
Night
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
48°F
10-18 mph NW
Tomorrow
Day
Mostly Sunny
60°F
8-13 mph NNW
Night
Mostly Cloudy
50°F
7-13 mph NNW
Mon, May 18
Day
Mostly Sunny
60°F
7-12 mph NNW
Night
Mostly Cloudy
51°F
5-12 mph NW

Weather Impact: High winds (>25 mph), heavy rain, and lightning significantly increase bar crossing risks. Monitor both day and night conditions when planning crossings.

Tide Information

Tidal Curve (Today & Tomorrow)
-2.1 0.2 2.5 4.8 7.2 9.5 5AM 7AM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM 9PM 11PM 1AM 3AM 5AM 7AM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 15:04
Predicted
Low Tide
Today at 06:58 AM
-1.3 ft
High Tide
Today at 01:37 PM
6.6 ft
Low Tide
Today at 06:40 PM
2.7 ft
Next
High Tide
Tomorrow at 12:49 AM
9.0 ft
Low Tide
Tomorrow at 07:48 AM
-1.6 ft
High Tide
Tomorrow at 02:31 PM
6.6 ft

Tidal Currents

Tidal Current Forecast
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 3AM 5AM 7AM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM 9PM 11PM 1AM 3AM 5AM 7AM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 15:04
Positive values indicate flood (incoming) current; negative values indicate ebb (outgoing). Y-axis in knots; X-axis in local time.