-What is SSCOFS ?

On September 9, 2024, the Columbia River and Estuary Operational Forecast System (CREOFS) will be replaced by the Salish Sea and Columbia River Operational Forecast System (SSCOFS). 

If you look at the CRSA website and utilize the “Tide/Current” for I-5 and St H(elens) you can see the forecast elements for wind, water depth, current speed and direction as well as water temperature

Starting September 9th, 2024 CREOFS will be discontinued. SSCOFS will take it’s place. The new system combines domains on the Columbia River with the Salish Sea as well as the Coast of Washington and part of Oregon.

For Columbia River users there are three subdomains; Upper, Middle, and Lower. Upper covers Bonneville to Kalama. Middle domain from Kalama to Knappa. Clatsop Spit to Knappa is covered by the Lower Columbia River subdomain.

Of great use to those mariners crossing the Columbia River Bar are the “Forecast” and “Nowcast” guidance sections which displays the current direction and intensity in a graphic presentation. The projections are hourly and extend roughly 44 hours in advance.

This link will take a user to the SSCOFS for the Currents Forecast Guidance for the Columbia River mouth.

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ofs/ofs_mapplots.html?ofsregion=ssc&subdomain=lo&model_type=currents_forecast

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