Higher Risk of Sneaker Waves Issued for Oregon Coast, South Washington Coast

Published 05/23/26 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Oregon Coast) – High waves and greater winds offshore are going to bring a higher risk of sneaker waves to the Oregon coast, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). It happens just as throngs are hitting the beaches for the holiday.

The alert is only for the upper half of the Oregon coastline and southern Washington shores. Areas like Coos Bay, Bandon or Gold Beach are not being advised, but it's still cause for caution if you're out on those beaches Sunday through Tuesday.

“A long period swell will impact our waters starting Sunday May 24th through Tuesday May 26th,” the NWS. “Sneaker waves can surprise beachgoers, running up on the beach significantly farther than other waves. They can also lift or roll large, heavy logs which can lead to serious injury or death.”

Part of the problem is out at sea. The NWS said offshore seas on the northern half of the Oregon coast are expected to build sharply Monday afternoon as stronger winds move in, with the highest waves arriving overnight into Tuesday morning.

The NWS there is high confidence that significant wave heights will top 13 feet – but only out at sea. This helps drive longer swells nearshore.

Farther offshore, the numbers climb: there’s roughly a 25% chance of waves reaching 18 to 19 feet beyond 20 nautical miles, and about a 10% chance of seas pushing to 20 feet at distances greater than 30 nautical miles.

Waves are projected to ease through Tuesday afternoon, settling back to around 10 to 12 feet.

Meanwhile, it will be pouring rain on Monday around the Pacific Northwest, and the coast may get an extra large dose.

“There is also a corridor from Newport north toward Seaside where probabilities for 1.00 inch or more reach roughly 30-50%,” the NWS said.

You can see predicted wave height for each day and area at the various weather pages at Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

Oregon Coast Weather

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 / Waldport Weather

Florence Weather

Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston

Bandon Weather

Port Orford Weather

Gold Beach Weather

Brookings Weather

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

From Taking In Cool Oregon Coast Colors on the Patio to Seaside's Action
Review of Seaside's Seashore Inn on the Beach: spectacle with breakfast and your dog. Seaside hotel reviews

N. Oregon Coast Beauty on the Beach: Seashore Inn's Latest Revelations, Specials
How to actually write its name, recent changes to the Seaside hotel. Seaside hotel reviews, Seaside lodging news

Whistling Winds Motel - Lincoln City Motel
Lincoln City Hotel Reviews: Low room rates: call to check on specials

A Soaring View Just Opened This Week at North Oregon Coast's Neskowin
Right on the ocean, it's been drawing attention lately. Availability. Pacific City Hotel reviews

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Whimsical Oregon Coast Art Showing Sets Up at Florence Chamber
16 Aug 2026 at 10:09am
Arts Alliance has opened its August exhibit, Summer Fun, at the Visitor Center Art Gallery. Florence events

Wednesday Night: Man Drowns in Seaside - Armed Standoff Near Oregon Coast Range
30 Jul 2026 at 9:34pm
41-year-old one of two in distress. Man near Chehalem arrested for firing weapon. Rescue, true crime, McMinnville, Hillsboro

Vandalism Spree, Arson at Six Oregon Coast Restrooms Across Over 30 Miles
26 Aug 2026 at 8:55pm
OSP are investigating; vandals also set fires at Gleneden Beach, Otter Rock, Newport, Depoe Bay. True crime, Agate Beach, Devil's Punchbowl, Fogarty Creek, Rocky Point

Orange Skies and Heat Advisories for Oregon, Washington, Portland - Air Alerts Central Oregon
21 Jul 2026 at 10:03pm
Heat advisories in the north, air quality alerts central Oregon. Thunderstorms possible. Weather, Astoria, Brookings, Eugene, Bend, Deschutes County

Two Paragliders Fly Past N. Oregon Coast's Haystack Rock, Possible Federal Crimes
10 Aug 2026 at 10:28pm
Cannon Beach landmark a federal wildlife refuge. True crime, sciences, tufted puffins

Fire Personnel, Engines from Oregon Coast Head Out to Fight Fires near Rogue River
19 Jul 2026 at 9:06am
Resources from Oceanside, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Oceanside, Albany, Harrisburg. Rescue, weather

Star Parties Liven Up Oregon Coast Range, Rooster Rock in Astronomical Ways
16 Jul 2026 at 9:36am
July 18, Aug 12 and Sept 12. Portland events, Seaside events, astronomy, science, Columbia River Gorge

N. Oregon Coast Preview: Cannon Beach Events for 2026 Through Winter 2027
7 Aug 2026 at 9:31pm
Summer music, birds; fall is for art and food; next year's events. Cannon Beach Historic Homes Tour, Puffin Walks, Concerts in the Park, Haystack Holidays

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted