The Great Gale of 1880 was an intense extratropical cyclone (possibly deeper than 955 millibars or 28.20 inHg) that impacted the Northwest United States on January 9, 1880.
"[6] An article printed on January 12, 1880, noted, The storm near the mouth of the Columbia seems to have been entirely distinct from the one which swept through the Willamette Valley, and scarcely as severe or prolonged.
The wind was from the northwest, and did not commence to blow violently until nearly 2 o'clock Friday afternoon.In the Fort Clatsop area along the Lewis and Clark River, it was reported The wind changed suddenly to the west, and while the trees were heavily laden with snow, struck the forest with terrific effect.In contrast to the north coast, a letter from Newport printed in The Oregonian on January 17, 1880, reported We have just experienced one of the severest gales; nothing like it has occurred since the settlement of the bay.
It was southeast, lasted about five hours, and was terrible in force… The tide rose seven feet higher than was ever known; nearly all the old wharves are taken away.There was no snowfall on the coastal hills around Newport, but "several miles from here it is five inches, and gradually deepens as you go east.
Further south, it was reported on January 19 that Gardiner was struck with a "perfect gale" that threw large breakers ashore and shoved water into a warehouse, threatening livestock.