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

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Cannon Beach

Manzanita Weather / Waves

Nehalem Bay / Wheeler

Rockaway Beach Waves, Weather

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Pacific City Weather, Waves

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