Sneaker Wave Issues for N. Oregon Coast, Washington. Snow / Ice on Passes Waning

Published 02/15/25 at 6:29 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – While the snow and ice have definitely entered slacker mode around the western parts of Oregon, the Coast Range is still trying to melt off and the upper half of the coast is under a beach hazards alert for sneaker waves.

For those traveling to and from the beaches, if you're motoring after dark there may still be some issues, but it is largely warming up in the area. However, snow tires and chains are required at the summits of Highway 20 and Highway 18, but Highway 6 and Highway 26 do not have those guidelines right now, according to ODOT and TripCheck.com.

Some rain and snow is still likely on Saturday, but highs and lows are in the upper 30s to 40s after Saturday, even in higher elevations.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a beach hazards statement for the southern Washington coast down through the middle of Oregon's coastline, in effect until late Sunday evening. Sneaker waves are possible in the areas of Long Beach, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Newport, Florence and everything in between.

- Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather  - Inland Oregon Weather

Waters are also extra cold this time of year.

“Waves can run up significantly farther on a beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties. Sneaker waves can suddenly knock people off of their feet and quickly pull them into the frigid ocean which may lead to serious injury or drowning,” the NWS said.

Wave height off these shorelines is in the teens for combined swells, but the period timing is rather long at around 12 seconds. Larger waves with a long period between them is what fuels sneaker waves.

On the south Oregon coast, wave height over the weekend is similar, but the NWS in that region has not issued sneaker wave alerts. Even so, take caution on smaller beaches near areas like Bandon, Langlois, Port Orford or Gold Beach.

The NWS suggested you keep children and pets away from the surf zone during this event up north and in Washington. If someone has been swept out to sea, do not try and swim after them, they said.

“Call 911 and keep an eye on them until help arrives,” the NWS said.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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