Southern Oregon - Brookings

[Banana Belt]

7 hours ago, Chester B said:

These are very hardy fruits.  There is a U-pick Fejoia farm out in Beaverton/Hillboro which is colder than the metro area.  I believe the bushes are around the same age as yours.

https://www.vialfamilyfarm.com/upick

They are more common than you think, as quite a few nurseries around here sell a number of varieties.  My three flower but are just getting to the point where they will reliably produce fruit.  I had some last year for the first time and I quite like them, especially with the skin on.

Feijoa are not uncommon just as you say, but few people know about the fruit.  Come to think about it, most people don't like fruit anyway and their not to fond of vegetable either. 

Skin?  Your not alone, I know a few people who also like the skin.  Bit to Bitter for me, but up in Charleston Oregon, Stillwagon Distelers used the whole Feijoa to make a type of Bitter Rum.  Bitters used to be very popular 100 years ago used in all kinds of drinks. 

Interesting thing about our Feijoa and I can't say for sure about others, but for about 15 years our bushes produced very vew fruit.  Then in 2004 we saw Robins begin to eat the petals on the flowers and that year we started getting fruit.  Then in 2005 Sparrows began eating the petals and we got even more fruit,  By 2006 the Starlings discovered the petals and they would descend in flocks chasing out the other birds and ravish the bushes eating petals.  That year 2004 we got more fruit than we could eat from the 20 some bushes we had.  Feijoa don't produce nectar from the flowers, at least ours don't, so bees and insects ignore them, but the petals are sweet with a Cotton Candy like flavor and birds like them.  Many growers in New Zealand tell me the same thing, only for them instead of Starlings it is Minor Birds. 

Because birds are the primary pollinator it helps to have at least a half dozen mature plants with lots of flowers, but even then someone or something needs to teach the birds that the flowers are good to eat.  So anyone growing Feijoa nearby to someone else who has these pollinating birds, will receive the same service.   Frankly I am not a fan of Starlings, they are obnoxious, irritating and dis-respective to others and not very good employees as they don't always show up for work when the flowers need pollinating.  But I don't pay them much except for the petals they eat.

[Silas_Sancona]

14 minutes ago, Banana Belt said:

Interesting thing about our Feijoa and I can't say for sure about others, but for about 15 years our bushes produced very vew fruit.  Then in 2004 we saw Robins begin to eat the petals on the flowers and that year we started getting fruit.  Then in 2005 Sparrows began eating the petals and we got even more fruit,  By 2006 the Starlings discovered the petals and they would descend in flocks chasing out the other birds and ravish the bushes eating petals.  That year 2004 we got more fruit than we could eat from the 20 some bushes we had.  Feijoa don't produce nectar from the flowers, at least ours don't, so bees and insects ignore them, but the petals are sweet with a Cotton Candy like flavor and birds like them.  Many growers in New Zealand tell me the same thing, only for them instead of Starlings it is Minor Birds. 

 

This must be a regional phenomenon since specimens my grandparents have had in the ground since the mid- 70s attract Bees/ Wasps, and Hummingbirds galore in California.

Can't recall ever seeing other neighborhood birds like Robins, Mockingbirds, Scrub Jays, Sparrows/ Finches, ...and/or Starlings that visited the yard snack on the petals either, though it's certainly possible.  Don't think the " Yard Squirrels " did either.. 🤔  Very interesting.

[Banana Belt]

We have 5 different varieties of Feijoa, Trask, Coolidge. Nasmetze, Eadenvillile and Apollo.  Also one other variety that is a seedling from San Fransisco variety unknown.  But basically from all the Feijoa I have seen, California, New Zealand and South Africa, from perspective there are variations of Feijoa from flowers to size and shape of fruit and growing habits of the Bush-Tree.  Fruit are either oblong, round, pear shaped or avocado shaped and long and narrow.  My favorite are the early round sweet ones and next is the avocado shaped.  Birds ravish all of them, shaking the whole bush violently.

Humingbirds like to perch and nest in the Feijoa as they are almost invisible next to the leaves.  Humingbirds also like the Palm tree leaves, because they are the only bird light enough to perch on the fronds.  Any other bird that lands on the leaves of the Queen or Jubaea fall off.

Edited October 7, 2022 by Banana Belt
Humingbird preferences

[ShadyDan]

1 hour ago, Banana Belt said:

We have 5 different varieties of Feijoa, Trask, Coolidge. Nasmetze, Eadenvillile and Apollo.  Also one other variety that is a seedling from San Fransisco variety unknown.  But basically from all the Feijoa I have seen, California, New Zealand and South Africa, from perspective there are variations of Feijoa from flowers to size and shape of fruit and growing habits of the Bush-Tree.  Fruit are either oblong, round, pear shaped or avocado shaped and long and narrow.  My favorite are the early round sweet ones and next is the avocado shaped.  Birds ravish all of them, shaking the whole bush violently.

Humingbirds like to perch and nest in the Feijoa as they are almost invisible next to the leaves.  Humingbirds also like the Palm tree leaves, because they are the only bird light enough to perch on the fronds.  Any other bird that lands on the leaves of the Queen or Jubaea fall off.

How do you find Coolidge for production and taste? I have one planted, supposed to be self fertile. Hoping to see flowers on it next year. Also, what about drought tolerance? Mine seems a little wimpy if I don’t water it during the heat of summer. 

[Banana Belt]

ShadyDan

Coolidge has a good flavor and produces mostly from the south side of bush.  The more Feijoa varieties and more plants, the better the pollination.  Please note above comments about the Birds and the Bees and which does the pollination.  Bees probably pollinate in some places and birds in others, why?   I have know idea, but I swear our Feijoa are not pollinated by bees because I never see a bee of any kind on the flower, but without doubt birds do.  You can also pollinate even on plant yourself with paint brush.

[Chester B]

On 10/6/2022 at 4:43 PM, Banana Belt said:

Feijoa are not uncommon just as you say, but few people know about the fruit.  Come to think about it, most people don't like fruit anyway and their not to fond of vegetable either. 

Skin?  Your not alone, I know a few people who also like the skin.  Bit to Bitter for me, but up in Charleston Oregon, Stillwagon Distelers used the whole Feijoa to make a type of Bitter Rum.  Bitters used to be very popular 100 years ago used in all kinds of drinks. 

Interesting thing about our Feijoa and I can't say for sure about others, but for about 15 years our bushes produced very vew fruit.  Then in 2004 we saw Robins begin to eat the petals on the flowers and that year we started getting fruit.  Then in 2005 Sparrows began eating the petals and we got even more fruit,  By 2006 the Starlings discovered the petals and they would descend in flocks chasing out the other birds and ravish the bushes eating petals.  That year 2004 we got more fruit than we could eat from the 20 some bushes we had.  Feijoa don't produce nectar from the flowers, at least ours don't, so bees and insects ignore them, but the petals are sweet with a Cotton Candy like flavor and birds like them.  Many growers in New Zealand tell me the same thing, only for them instead of Starlings it is Minor Birds. 

Because birds are the primary pollinator it helps to have at least a half dozen mature plants with lots of flowers, but even then someone or something needs to teach the birds that the flowers are good to eat.  So anyone growing Feijoa nearby to someone else who has these pollinating birds, will receive the same service.   Frankly I am not a fan of Starlings, they are obnoxious, irritating and dis-respective to others and not very good employees as they don't always show up for work when the flowers need pollinating.  But I don't pay them much except for the petals they eat.

This is quite interesting.  I can't say I remember insects on the flowers like other plants I have.  I usually try and hand pollinate, but this year I had so many flowers I expected they would be ok, but I haven't seen any fruit.

The feijoa fruit I had was not bitter at all, but I don't know what variety the tree was.

On 10/6/2022 at 7:58 PM, ShadyDan said:

How do you find Coolidge for production and taste? I have one planted, supposed to be self fertile. Hoping to see flowers on it next year. Also, what about drought tolerance? Mine seems a little wimpy if I don’t water it during the heat of summer. 

I planted 4 in the beginning.  Three are "seed" grown and the 4th was a Coolidge.  It died the first summer, it couldn't take the heat and drought even though I was watering them.    Out of the three "seed" grown ones that I have two are quite vigorous and have the nice silvery leaves, the third is much more green.  The oddball does burn at times in the summer and I have to give it a lot more water.  The other thing I found about them is that they have very brittle wood.  Two winters back we had bad ice and all three snapped off about halfway up.  I think they've all been in at least 3 years now, probably 4 so seemed to be able to handle summers a lot better than they used to.

[ShadyDan]

9 hours ago, Chester B said:

This is quite interesting.  I can't say I remember insects on the flowers like other plants I have.  I usually try and hand pollinate, but this year I had so many flowers I expected they would be ok, but I haven't seen any fruit.

The feijoa fruit I had was not bitter at all, but I don't know what variety the tree was.

I planted 4 in the beginning.  Three are "seed" grown and the 4th was a Coolidge.  It died the first summer, it couldn't take the heat and drought even though I was watering them.    Out of the three "seed" grown ones that I have two are quite vigorous and have the nice silvery leaves, the third is much more green.  The oddball does burn at times in the summer and I have to give it a lot more water.  The other thing I found about them is that they have very brittle wood.  Two winters back we had bad ice and all three snapped off about halfway up.  I think they've all been in at least 3 years now, probably 4 so seemed to be able to handle summers a lot better than they used to.

I have noticed mine has been pretty wimpy in the summer when I don’t water it. Not so much burning, but just dropping an unnecessary amount of leaves. I’ve just attributed it to being young and I did transplant it too when I moved 3 years ago. I’m hoping it becomes more drought tolerant with age as I put in the “no water” part of my garden for that reason. So far no winter damage to it (yet), even after last years crappy winter. 

[Banana Belt]

The five varieties of Feijoa we have are the old ones, 40 years ago.  There are so many new varieties bigger and better than the old ones hard to keep up. 

I know people over in Medford, Grants Pass and Cave Junction who have tried growing Feijoa, but with limited success.  This year many plants died as the heat and dry conditions went for months.  Feijoa do not like high heat and low humidity, this is what the books say.

Brookings weather this last 4 months has been lousy, cold and foggy almost everyday.  This last summer was the coldest summer I can remember here in Brookings.  Hopefully our winter will be warm and sunny during daylight and gentle rain at night.

[Chester B]

I actually picked up another Feijoa today for next to nothing. Unknown variety but typical in appearance. 
 

85 and sunny here again. Palms are loving it. 

[Banana Belt]

16 hours ago, Chester B said:

I actually picked up another Feijoa today for next to nothing. Unknown variety but typical in appearance. 
 

85 and sunny here again. Palms are loving it. 

54 here today and non of my plants are loving it.  Been picking mushrooms all summer, Chantrel, Hedgehogs, Oyster Mushrooms and even Agarica. This last summer was the coldest summer we have seen in more than 40 years.  Fog, Dense Fog, Drizzling Fog, dark dungeon like weather with long daylights.  It was ridiculously hot in Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Medford that whole time, still is today, if only it would cool down in those areas, Brookings might warm up. 

[Chester B]

1 hour ago, Banana Belt said:

54 here today and non of my plants are loving it.  Been picking mushrooms all summer, Chantrel, Hedgehogs, Oyster Mushrooms and even Agarica. This last summer was the coldest summer we have seen in more than 40 years.  Fog, Dense Fog, Drizzling Fog, dark dungeon like weather with long daylights.  It was ridiculously hot in Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Medford that whole time, still is today, if only it would cool down in those areas, Brookings might warm up. 

We had that miserable spring here but since then nothing but heat. Many, many records broken. Still no rain in the forecast. 85 again today. 
 

You’re making me rethink a move to the south coast. 

[Banana Belt]

3 hours ago, Chester B said:

We had that miserable spring here but since then nothing but heat. Many, many records broken. Still no rain in the forecast. 85 again today. 
 

You’re making me rethink a move to the south coast. 

I am thinking there has got to be a "Goldilocks" compromise someplace in between.  Most of Fog stays close to the Ocean, couple miles or so.  Every mile east and away from the ocean the summer weather improves say 4 to 6 miles up a river like the Chetco, Winchuck, Pistol River and a few creeks it never gets too hot for long and is out of the Fog most of the summer time.  More rain in winter and less sun.  

Weather from year to year changes, but having lived in Oregon my whole life I have learned that no matter where one lives the weather in Oregon regardless of location tends to get stuck on whatever the pattern and refuses to change for many weeks and months only a change in season moves the dial into another stuck pattern.  In other words the weather in Oregon changes very reluctantly, if hot it stays hot, wet it stays wet, cold it stays cold and so on.

It is Oct 10 and just over two months to the Winter solstice.  Days are getting shorter and the weather has to change, but what will the weather change to?  I have no idea. 

[Chester B]

12 hours ago, Banana Belt said:

I am thinking there has got to be a "Goldilocks" compromise someplace in between.  Most of Fog stays close to the Ocean, couple miles or so.  Every mile east and away from the ocean the summer weather improves say 4 to 6 miles up a river like the Chetco, Winchuck, Pistol River and a few creeks it never gets too hot for long and is out of the Fog most of the summer time.  More rain in winter and less sun.  

Weather from year to year changes, but having lived in Oregon my whole life I have learned that no matter where one lives the weather in Oregon regardless of location tends to get stuck on whatever the pattern and refuses to change for many weeks and months only a change in season moves the dial into another stuck pattern.  In other words the weather in Oregon changes very reluctantly, if hot it stays hot, wet it stays wet, cold it stays cold and so on.

It is Oct 10 and just over two months to the Winter solstice.  Days are getting shorter and the weather has to change, but what will the weather change to?  I have no idea. 

I haven't been here nearly as long as you but have noticed the same how it takes weeks or months to shift the weather instead of days like in other parts of the country.  I've been looking around the Coos Bay/North Bend area as far south as Bandon.  That's right around the transition zone from 9A to 9B and tends to get a decent amount of sunshine at least in the summer.  Plus easy access to amenities and services.  Brookings is so isolated compared to other coastal communities, I'm sure you're used to it though.

[Ryland]

On 10/10/2022 at 4:28 AM, Banana Belt said:

I am thinking there has got to be a "Goldilocks" compromise someplace in between. 

I always thought Coquille seemed to fit this description. It’s still averaging in the 50s in winter but 70s in summer, just far enough inland. Certainly a zone 9 but it will get a handful of frosts per year.

[Zach K]

This house went on the market in Brookings and check out the size of that White BOP!

[Ohiopalmloverz6]

On 10/1/2022 at 9:52 AM, UK_Palms said:

It is surprisingly wet there in Brookings, certainly compared to London. A whopping 78 inches vs 22 inches in London. I mean 5 months, from November - March, average 10+ inches of rain each month, which is excessively wet. Like really wet. The fact that the driest year on record is only 43 inches is pretty extreme in itself.

Despite that it is also significantly sunnier as well too, which isn't surprising since it is at 42N compared to 51N for London. An average high of 66-67F during July though is really quite poor as well. Glasgow in Scotland at 55N actually averages slightly higher July maximums than Brookings. And Scotland's summers are crap!

The extremely wet winters and coldish summers in Brookings probably cause some issues for some palm species and exotics. No chance of cacti surviving there, unlike in London. I have my suspicions about stuff like Brahea Armata and Washingtonia Filifera surviving there as well due to the winter deluges. Robusta's may be okay though.

I wonder if montane palm species would grow there? Like wax palms

[Chester B]

1 hour ago, Ohiopalmloverz6 said:

I wonder if montane palm species would grow there? Like wax palms

Some spots are 10A.  They could grow much more than what is seen, however its a small place and quite remote.  It's about 2 hours to anything larger and due to the small population they are probably only a few real exotic plant enthusiasts.  At least now with the internet and mail order those living there would have access.  We have only one member here from that area @Banana Belt, and only a few from Oregon mostly around Portland and Salem.

[Banana Belt]

10 hours ago, Chester B said:

Some spots are 10A.  They could grow much more than what is seen, however its a small place and quite remote.  It's about 2 hours to anything larger and due to the small population they are probably only a few real exotic plant enthusiasts.  At least now with the internet and mail order those living there would have access.  We have only one member here from that area @Banana Belt, and only a few from Oregon mostly around Portland and Salem.

Quite true all of it, and I have no idea what a Montane Palm specie is.  Something to look up for sure.  

Thing about this little corner of Oregon is, there are more different "Climates" here than anyplace along the entire Oregon coast altogether.  A 10 mile trip through Brookings going east-west or north-south changes climate every mile.  I know that sounds like hyperbole and it probably is during wet weather like today, but when it is clear skies it is true.  The climates in this area have changed in last 60 years, but the diversity in the 100 square mile area is amazing. 

A person I know who lives less than a mile away has a blood orange tree, avocadoes as is trying a coconut palm all outside.  I might be able to grow a Blood Orange and avocado but not a coconut palm.  He grows wonderful tomatoes every year, but tomatoes are hopeless for me, mildew and blight every time.
 

[Paradise Found]

How bad are the wind storms there?  I’ve heard of cordylines snapping in half is this true?

it a wonderful coastal town love to live there.  

[Ohiopalmloverz6]

On 2/29/2024 at 8:09 PM, Banana Belt said:

Quite true all of it, and I have no idea what a Montane Palm specie is.  Something to look up for sure.  

Thing about this little corner of Oregon is, there are more different "Climates" here than anyplace along the entire Oregon coast altogether.  A 10 mile trip through Brookings going east-west or north-south changes climate every mile.  I know that sounds like hyperbole and it probably is during wet weather like today, but when it is clear skies it is true.  The climates in this area have changed in last 60 years, but the diversity in the 100 square mile area is amazing. 

A person I know who lives less than a mile away has a blood orange tree, avocadoes as is trying a coconut palm all outside.  I might be able to grow a Blood Orange and avocado but not a coconut palm.  He grows wonderful tomatoes every year, but tomatoes are hopeless for me, mildew and blight every time.
 

Like palm trees from the mountains like Quindio Wax Palms and Trachycarpus. I know they would prefer the cool summers since their native mountain habitats are cool in the summer

[Paradise Found]

6 hours ago, Ohiopalmloverz6 said:

Like palm trees from the mountains like Quindio Wax Palms and Trachycarpus. I know they would prefer the cool summers since their native mountain habitats are cool in the summer

Shaving brush palm might do good there too.  

[Banana Belt]

11 hours ago, Paradise Found said:

How bad are the wind storms there?

Wind storms in Brookings are common and can come from different directions even on same day.  For example it can blow hard cold wind from north at the north end of Brooking City, but at the very same time less than a mile south at south end of brookings a very hot and extremely strong wind will blow from the east and if traveling another mile or two south the wind will blow from the south. all this at the same time same day.  It is called the Chetco Effect and is localized here.

[matthedlund]

4 hours ago, Paradise Found said:

Shaving brush palm might do good there too.  

Hey Roger! Supposedly there's one at Shore Acres State Park. Meagan and I are in the area for a long weekend now and are going to check it out tomorrow.

[Las Palmas Norte]

3 hours ago, Banana Belt said:

Wind storms in Brookings are common and can come from different directions even on same day.  For example it can blow hard cold wind from north at the north end of Brooking City, but at the very same time less than a mile south at south end of brookings a very hot and extremely strong wind will blow from the east and if traveling another mile or two south the wind will blow from the south. all this at the same time same day.  It is called the Chetco Effect and is localized here.

Is that phenomenon more common at certain times of year, or can it occur anytime?

[Paradise Found]

8 hours ago, matthedlund said:

Hey Roger! Supposedly there's one at Shore Acres State Park. Meagan and I are in the area for a long weekend now and are going to check it out tomorrow.

Nice Matt! Take some pics to share I hope.  Enjoy the good food, interesting shops, friendly people and great year round weather it does go into the 70’s and low 80’s there in winter and early spring for short periods of time.  Fantastic palms and exotic shrubs galore. You and Magen will have a great time there for sure!

[Paradise Found]

9 hours ago, Banana Belt said:

Wind storms in Brookings are common and can come from different directions even on same day.  For example it can blow hard cold wind from north at the north end of Brooking City, but at the very same time less than a mile south at south end of brookings a very hot and extremely strong wind will blow from the east and if traveling another mile or two south the wind will blow from the south. all this at the same time same day.  It is called the Chetco Effect and is localized here.

Never new it had a name for it very interesting will have to look up!  Thanks for responding. 

[Harry’s Palms]

At one time , my wife and I were going to move there to retire . I even got a relocation pkg. from the city. I looked up weather patterns and temperature averages . It seems it’s a bit of a micro climate there , although I didn’t hear about shifting winds , I found it had its own pattern unlike other coastal Oregon towns. Harry

[Banana Belt]

6 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Is that phenomenon more common at certain times of year, or can it occur anytime?

Late Spring to early Fall usually, but can happen even in mid winter.

[Las Palmas Norte]

6 hours ago, Banana Belt said:

Late Spring to early Fall usually, but can happen even in mid winter.

Up here along the British Columbia (and Washington) coast, our strong winds and storms are concentrated mainly in Autumn and the first half of Winter.

[Alex High]

22 hours ago, Banana Belt said:

Wind storms in Brookings are common and can come from different directions even on same day.  For example it can blow hard cold wind from north at the north end of Brooking City, but at the very same time less than a mile south at south end of brookings a very hot and extremely strong wind will blow from the east and if traveling another mile or two south the wind will blow from the south. all this at the same time same day.  It is called the Chetco Effect and is localized here.

I was wondering, how does the weather/climate in Brookings compare to the Eureka area? Obviously no Chetco Effect in Eureka, and it seems to be more overcast/foggy despite Brookings getting almost twice as much rain. Yet when I look at the number of rainy days for each city, they're not that different. Is it just that Brookings gets heavier rainfall with most storms, but not a ton more days of rain? Also, looking at the averages, Eureka seems to have colder lows throughout the year despite being further south, however it appears to remain slightly warmer during cold spells, and right now the temps are a bit milder in Eureka than Brookings, and the record lows for Eureka are slightly milder than Brookings. Is this a result of the Chetco Effect, making the monthly averages in Brookings slightly warmer but the record lows lower? And lastly I was wondering about the temperate rainforest designation. It seems Brookings is well above the rainfall threshold for being considered temperate rainforest, with around 80+ inches per year, but Eureka only gets 40-50 inches, which is typically below the requirement for temperate rainforest. Yet I've seen it often referred to as such and the redwood forests there look super lush and rainforest-like. Is it still a temperate rainforest down there due to the low temps and overcast weather, meaning less/slower evaporation, and fog drip acting as a precipitation-equivalent during the dry months, or is it not? Sorry for all the questions, I'm fascinated by the climate, palms, and beauty of southern OR/northern CA. Thanks!

[Chester B]

@Alex High I'm not an expert on Brookings, but I have been there.  What I can tell you is that you have to go a long way south into California to reach temps as mild.  Northern Coastal California is colder.

[Banana Belt]

@Alex High @Chester B  Meteorologists have used many different models to explain the "Chetco Effect" and to why it seems to be located around Brookings Oregon.  I am not a Meteorologist, but my understanding is that it has to do with localized pressure systems in the area, geography of the interior mountains, directions of the coastline and of course the Ocean.  https://www.wildcoastcompass.com/chetco-effect-scorches-the-brookings-harbor-area/

A search "Chetco Effect" will bring up many different sites that explain.  Over the years I have listened to a talked with many Meteorologists about this and they commonly will say that it happens when a small localized low system is moving east from off the Ocean into Northern CA.  It sets up a wind flow direction in vicinity of the 42 parallel from east to west.  This in combination with the geographical valley of the Chetco River which is east to west a down-slope air movement begins.  As the air from inland mountain areas moves west it drops down the Chetco Valley and compresses both heating up and getting denser.  This dense and compressed air speeds up as it flows downslope, exiting the continent at Brookings with tremendous speeds.  

There are other setups which seem to localize this air movement at Brookings and rarely at other coastal cities along the coast from Eureka to Coos Bay.  Other setups include terrain of the Mountains east of the coast, direction of the coastline such as being north-south or northwest-southeast and the parallel of these profiles.  Normally during a large regional high pressure which covers the Western part of continent, air flow along the coast is from north to south and is cold and strong.  Southern Oregon coast of Curry County has a Northwest-Southeast shoreline and is not North-South.  When it comes down the Oregon Coast to Curry county it blows diagonally across a Northwest-Southeast shoreline and pulls warmer air from off the continent to the east.  This combines with the above setups creating the Chetco Effect.  

This east to west movement of air at Brookings is similar to Santa Anna winds in Southern California.  It rarely occurs in Eureka or any part of Northern CA, can sometimes occur to smaller degree at Coos Bay, Oregon, and for large meteorological reasons sets up around the 42 parallel. 

As for why Brookings area is warmer on average than Eureka CA, it probably has to do with Pacific cold water, direction of the shoreline and the heat absorption of sunlight which reflects of the water into the mountains.  When on a clear day standing on the hills or mountains of Curry County looking out to the ocean southwest in winter especially, one can feel on the face the double exposure of the sun, one coming directly from the sun and the other coming from its reflection of the ocean.

Edited March 4, 2024 by Banana Belt

[Alex High]

@Chester B and @Banana Belt

Thank you very much for your responses, very interesting. Another place with a similarly unique microclimate is Shelter Cove, CA, in southern Humboldt County, which has a south-facing position like Brookings and has super mild and warm averages, about the same as San Francisco, and warmer some months. It has warmer averages than Brookings and Eureka, and is much sunnier than Eureka at least. The record high, however, is lower than Brookings, at 96 degrees vs Brookings' 108 degrees. And the record low is only 27 degrees! Seems to be an interesting climatic anomaly like Brookings.

I also found these huge Washys in Rio Dell, CA, south of Eureka. They look much better than most on the coast, as that area has warmer summers but still quite mild winters. These must be some of the tallest Washys that far north in North America:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5025773,-124.1069131,3a,27.6y,271.86h,99.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7D5YwcokWn7Rh3caLS1Zvg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[Chester B]

That is within the area called “the Lost Coast”. Very remote and isolated, I think of anywhere in the lower 48. 

[Banana Belt]

@Alex High  Shelter cove is very similar climate to Brookings, only bit warmer year around and less rain.  This water year in Brookings starting last Oct, we have had 72 inches at the Agriculture Station.  Small but diverse microclimates are hard to imagine the differences in just one mile.  Places like these along the coast can have incredible different averages something like an Island.  For example three miles north of Brookings at Whales Head this years total water year is over 100 inches with average temperatures 15 degrees less.  Data and climate information of these areas represent in most cases a single station in a single location, climate just a mile away from these stations can be very different.

[Foxpalms]

It always amazes me how cold the night time lows are for northern costal California.  That's what you get when the sea is never able to warm up. For comparison at the same latitude in Europe the sea temp would be 25-26c during the summer months with the average low being 23c.

[Banana Belt]

@Foxpalms   For update on the rainfall this water year and since Jan.1, Brookings has had 81 inches since Oct 1., and 53 inches since Jan. 1.  Not much snow and no freezing since last October.  Ocean Temperatures during last 6 months has been in low 50's and is 53 right now.  Because of the prevalent wind direction this las winter being from the West or Southwest, very little upwelling of cold water has occured.  When Spring and Summer arrive the wind will switch around and blow from the North and in Brookings area from the NorthNortheast, which will start upwelling of cold deep water and ocean temps near shore will drop into the 40's.  When the strong summer like North winds along the coast stop for any length of time the ocean Temps will rise significantly and in August we can have ocean temps of 60 or more, but only for short period until the north winds pick up again.

[Paradise Found]

This happen on Wednesday.

[Banana Belt]

On 3/29/2024 at 7:24 AM, Paradise Found said:

This happen on Wednesday.

That is Close to where I go scuba diving.  Must have happened last month during one of the strong thunder cells that moved by.