High Surf Up to 25 Ft for South Oregon Coast - Added to Advisories for Oregon, Washington Coast

Published 10/18/25 at 6:25 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) - The National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Seattle, Portland and Medford have issued multiple alerts for the Pacific Northwest as powerful swells and hazardous surf conditions begin to ramp up.

A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect for the entire Oregon coast and the southern Washington coast, spanning from Brookings, Oregon to Westport, Washington. Forecasters warn of a moderate risk of sneaker waves: unpredictable surges capable of sweeping across beaches, rocks, and jetties with little warning. This is in effect into Sunday evening for the north coast (Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Manzanita, Seaside), but turns to a high surf advisory for the southern area.

Recently added: a High Surf Advisory has been posted for the southern Oregon coast, covering Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties. The advisory is active from 11 a.m. Sunday through 11 a.m. Monday, with wave heights expected to reach 20 to 25 feet.

This includes Port Orford, Gold Beach, Bandon, Coos Bay and Reedsport.

According to the NWS, sneaker waves can surge well beyond the normal tide line, posing serious risks to beachgoers. These waves may knock individuals off their feet and pull them into cold ocean waters, potentially causing injury or death. Driftwood logs may also be lifted and shifted, creating additional hazards.

The threat from sneaker waves is expected to peak Friday evening, with elevated seas continuing into Saturday. After a brief lull Saturday night, conditions will deteriorate again late Sunday as a second long-period northwest swell arrives, bringing the highest surf overnight into Monday.

Once this starts for the south coast, officials urge the public to stay off jetties and rocks, avoid entering the surf zone, and remain vigilant and cautious near the shoreline. Beach erosion and damage to exposed infrastructure are possible.

Shore Acres, courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts

Those wave height numbers of around 20 feet would be enough to get Shore Acres firing off. It's difficult to say that for certain, given some data from the NWS. However, Shore Acres would be a good place to check out high waves on Sunday and Monday - and it could be spectacular.

This marks the beginning of the seasonal transition when distant storms generate long-period swells along the Oregon coast.

“We're heading into the time of year where distant storms generate swells with long periods,” the NWS in Medford said. “These long-period swells harbor more energy than a typical set of waves and have the ability to run up much farther on the beaches. The first of these long period swells is affecting the coastal areas today as swells peak around 10-14 ft, 16 seconds.”

The NWS said even though they're called “sneaker waves,” they are not particularly large or high. They simply have more energy and charge up the beach much faster and farther.

Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather  - Inland Oregon Weather

“After a brief break, another long period northwest swell will move into the waters Sunday afternoon and last into Monday morning,” the NWS said. “This swell will be high enough to bring breaking waves of 20-25 feet in the surf zone. A High Surf Advisory is in effect for this.”

Also hitting the area is a frost advisory that expires at 9 a.m. Saturday. That is for portions of the north Oregon Coast Range, near Cannon Beach, Seaside and Nehalem.

You can catch the full wave forecasts in all areas of the Oregon coast:

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

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