Sneaker Wave Alert Sunday for Entire Oregon Coast, South Washington Coast

Published 04/29/23 at 9:52 PM
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – After a sweet run of great weather, the Oregon coast and southern Washington coast are in for a bit of a stark change – and a beach hazards alert. (Above: Neptune Beach near Florence / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

The National Weather Service (NWS) said there will be some sneaker waves along the entire Oregon coast and south Washington coast on Sunday (tomorrow), warning large swells offshore will be turning into some dangerous waves from Brookings through to Raymond. A beach hazards statement is in effect Sunday morning through late in the evening.

However, you may get a good show at some rocky areas.

“Waves can run up significantly farther on a beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties,” the NWS said. “These sneaker waves can suddenly knock people off of their feet and quickly pull them into the cold ocean waters, resulting in serious injury or death.”

Beachgoers and clammers will all have to be more cautious, the NWS said.

Oregon Coast Beacch Connection

Swimming is really not a good idea, the NWS said, along Oregon coast and Washington coast areas like Gold Beach, Ophir, Reedsport, Waldport, Newport, Seaside or Long Beach (and everything in between).

Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather

“Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions,” the NWS said.

The culprit is storm activity far offshore that will be gaining in intensity overnight, causing swells to rise to around 10 to 13 feet on Sunday.

“West swell on the order of 10-13 ft and an initial period around 15-16 seconds will result in an elevated threat of sneaker waves in the surf zone, especially Sunday afternoon and evening,” the NWS said.

Shore Acres near Coos Bay, courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast

Weather conditions along the whole of the Washington coast and Oregon coast shift to mostly cloudy (but some sun breaks) and rather gusty at times throughout the early week. More rain kicks in then as well, creating a rather soggy early May for visitors.

However, the stormy breakers on Sunday also bring good wave-watching weather, especially at rocky places known to put on a show, such as Cape Disappointment on the south Washington coast. On the Oregon coast, make sure to visit spots like Yachats, Shore Acres near Coos Bay, Bandon and Depoe Bay. You may well get an eyeful. Check out some of these areas live Oregon Coast Sky Cams - Web Cams, Weather Cams

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Sneaker wave at Seaside, courtesy Seaside Aquarium

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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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