If it's Kite Festival- there must be a storm.

The International Kite Festival starts today. As usual- the rain storms rolled in yesterday (during the Oysterville Jazz & Oysters) in anticipation. This year we have Thunderstorms too- and judging from the weather service alert (below)- we will have gale force winds. Hopefully by late Wednesday, the weather will improve and I can show you some good photos of the week long event. Where is the Ben Franklin re-enactor when you need him?

Weather service issues warning about lightning storms on North Coast and gale-force winds coming

Monday, August 18, 2008

The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a warning for the North Coast early Monday.

Coastal waters from Cape Shoalwater, Wash., south to Florence may see thunderstorms continuing this morning over the waters. These storms will produce widespread lightning along with brief heavy rain and gusty winds. An unseasonably strong Pacific front is expected to hit late Tuesday and a potentially strong fall-like front appears to be headed for the Pacific Northwest to follow.

If this system continues along its projected path, moderate gale-force winds will occur beginning by late Tuesday afternoon in the outer waters and will spread to the inland waters Tuesday night.

The gale will continue until the early morning hours Wednesday. Seas may reach 14 feet during the peak of the storm Tuesday night, Mariners are urged to monitor marine weather forecasts and conditions closely during the next few days for the latest information.
(illustration from Time article HERE)