Sneaker Waves, Surf Alerts Extended Along Oregon, Washington Coast

Published 10/20/25 at 7:25 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – Tidal hazards along the Oregon and Washington coast continue this week, with the National Weather Service (NWS) extending alerts through Tuesday and Wednesday.

This comes after a surfer in Lincoln City died Sunday after getting swept out to sea during such active warnings. Tragic Death in Lincoln City Surf Sunday During Varied Wave Alerts on Oregon Coast 

The NWS has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for the central and northern Oregon coast and the southern Washington coast, warning of dangerous surf conditions and elevated risks from sneaker waves through Wednesday afternoon.

On the south coast – including Port Orford, Bandon and Brookings – alerts have been extended through Tuesday.

LATEST ALERTS:

All beaches of Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties: Beach Hazard Statement Remains in effect into Tuesday evening.

All beaches of north and central Oregon coast and South Washington Coast: Beach Hazard Statement Remains in effect into Wednesday.

Sneaker Waves Still Likely: Offshore waves as high as 18 feet at times.

A long-period westerly swell is expected to bring hazardous surf and large swells to coastal waters, prompting safety concerns for beachgoers and shellfish harvesters. The threat is particularly high on Tuesday and Wednesday, when sneaker waves - unpredictable surges that can rush far up the beach - pose a serious risk to those near the shoreline. These waves can sweep over rocks, logs, and jetties, knocking people off their feet and pulling them into the ocean.

Officials urge visitors to remain vigilant, especially with children and pets, and to never turn their back on the ocean.

“Caution should be used when in or near the water,” the NWS said.

Offshore, steep seas continue to create issues for small craft operators through Wednesday night.

“Seas are currently around 10-12 feet at 14 seconds but are expected to continue to subside below Small Craft criteria around 8 pm,” the NWS said this afternoon. “The break late this evening and into the overnight hours is expected to be short lived as another potent northwesterly swell then arrives early Tuesday. Seas will be pushed to 15 to 18 feet at 16 to 18 seconds coming down to 10 feet around 15 seconds by late Tuesday morning.”

Yet more is likely coming in.

Following a brief lull on Wednesday, the NWS said it anticipates an active weather pattern resuming Thursday through Saturday night. Gale-force southerly wind gusts are likely Thursday night into Friday morning, with a 40–70% chance of gales and a 20% chance of storm-force gusts in inner waters due to a possible coastal jet (fast-moving wind current surrounded by slower-moving air). Seas may climb back to 20 feet, with a 10% chance of exceeding that threshold.

Elevated sea conditions are expected to persist into the weekend as additional storm systems hit the region, particularly Saturday night into Sunday.

This should mean great storm wave watching in areas like Cape Disappointment, Depoe Bay or Shore Acres (anything over 20 feet often brings a good chance of enormous crashers at Shore Acres). Stay off beaches, however, and remain on higher ground.

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

Washington Coast Weather

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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