High Risk of Sneaker Waves on Oregon Coast / Washington Extended to Monday

Published 11/21/25 at 2:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) – An increased risk of sneaker waves along the north Oregon coast and south Washington coast continues into Sunday and perhaps Monday, with the original message from National Weather Service (NWS) getting extended through the weekend.

Down south, the high surf advisory is over but somewhat high waves remain.

“Beach hazards statement remains in effect through late Sunday night,” the NWS said of the area from Florence to Raymond, Wash. This includes Yachats, Newport, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Oceanside, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Long Beach and Ocean Park.

Some parts of the NWS site show the statement extended into Monday.

Even so, it's not a constant danger and has not interrupted the glass float drops in Lincoln City.

The NWS warns of possible sneaker waves, which can surge much farther up the beach than normal, sweeping over rocks and jetties. These waves can suddenly knock people off their feet and pull them into the frigid ocean, creating a risk of serious injury or drowning.

“Stay observant of incoming waves,” the NWS said.

Weather pundits note that such statements are issued when surf conditions pose potentially life-threatening dangers. Visitors are urged to use caution near the water, remain vigilant, and keep a close watch on children. Extra care is advised for those taking part in razor clam digs, as sneaker waves can strike without warning. Authorities recommend staying out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

The big culprit behind sneaker waves is the long period between them. This allows wave sets to bunch up and combine into a stronger, more powerful wave that shoots up the beach.

In this case, waves will be around 13 feet on Friday with a period of 17 seconds – which is definitely a recipe for powerful waves. Saturday sees similar wave height with a period of 16 seconds, and Sunday gets up to a period of 15 seconds. Early Monday is also in that range.

On the southern coast, the waves are just below advisory levels this week, the NWS said. That could, however, pop up again.

For full weather forecasts as well as wave forecasts for each area:

Washington Coast Weather

Astoria / Warrenton Weather
Seaside Weather
Cannon Beach
Manzanita Weather / Waves
Nehalem Bay / Wheeler
Rockaway Beach Waves, Weather
Oceanside/Tillamook
Pacific City Weather, Waves
Lincoln City Waves, Weather
Depoe Bay Weather
Newport Waves, Weather
Yachats
Florence
Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston
Bandon Weather
Port Orford Weather
Gold Beach Weather
Brookings Weather

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