Sneaker Waves Monday for N. Oregon, Washington Coast; Ice Issues Slowing

Published 02/14/21 at 7:06 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Portland, Oregon) – [UPDATE: Highway 18 to Lincoln City is back open] Relief from ice storms and snow is on the way for Portland, northwest Oregon, southwest Washington and even the coast range, but the northern half of the Oregon coast and south Washington coast will be getting sneaker waves on Monday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a beach hazards statement for the upper half of Oregon’s coastline and south Washington’s beaches. Winter weather advisories and warnings are expiring for the coast range passes and the Willapa Hills of Washington, but the metro area is still in for some freezing rain overnight that will warm up in the wee hours of Monday morning.

There are still heavy snow issues on many of the passes to the Oregon / Washington coast. However, as of 10 p.m. Highway 18 has reopened after being closed off due to fallen trees. See Oregon Coast Traffic Conditions

Marion County had some of the worst ice storm experiences resulting in much of Salem without power as of Sunday night, but there temps are already above freezing.

Monday – Washington’s birthday – will see a greatly increased chance of sneaker waves in beach towns from Florence all the way through about Raymond, Washington.

“An energetic west swell on Monday will result in an enhanced sneaker wave threat for the Washington’s Birthday holiday, and by Monday night may approach the lower end of criteria for high surf,” the NWS said.

Monday’s big wave action may not be the last of it, according to the NWS.

“A westerly swell will dominate the waters through the middle of the week,” the NWS said. “Seas Sunday night expected to remain in the range of 11 to 13 ft, but then build again during the day Monday as a long period swell arrives out of the west. Expect to approach 20 ft around the end of the day Monday and continue near 20 ft Monday night before subsiding again Tuesday.”

The NWS said you should keep children and pets close and far from the surf zone. There are also an unusually large amount of massive logs on beaches at this time because of large storms in December and January. These create new dangers for the area.

“Keep off of jetties, rocks and logs near the surf zone,” the NWS said. “If you see someone swept into the sea do not swim in after them. Call 911 and keep an eye on them until help arrives. Keep away from large logs on the beach. Sneaker waves can run up on the beach lifting or rolling these extremely heavy logs. People have been injured and killed after being caught under these logs from sneaker wave action.”

No major issues are expected for the southern Oregon coast.

See Oregon Coast Dangers Update: Logs, Dunes, Oceanside Tunnel, More

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