UPDATES: Waves 17 to 26 Ft Along Oregon Coast: Surf Advisories, Sneaker Waves

Updated 01/06/26 at 3:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – UPDATED: ALL SNEAKER WAVE ALERTS NOW CHANGED TO HIGH SURF ALERTS. The good news is that the Oregon coast will be putting on a show. The bad news: you don't want to share the stage with these waves. While you should never turn your back on the ocean, the wave heights coming this week may mean even watching out won't be good enough. You may not be able to outrun these waves. (Photo: sneaker wave at Cannon Beach / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Areas like Cape Disappointment in southern Washington, Coos Bay's Shore Acres or even Yachats and Depoe Bay could well be impressive, however. Just watch from a distance.

There's a lot going on this week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high surf advisory for the southern Oregon coast, in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday. It covers Reedsport, Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings.

“Large, long period swell from near the Aleutian Islands will create potentially dangerous surf conditions along the southern Oregon coast Wednesday morning through Thursday night,” the NWS said. “Breaking waves of 22 to 26 feet are expected. Stay away from the surf zone and off of jetties. Keep your distance from dangerous beach conditions.”

The agency warns that the surf may inundate beaches and low-lying shoreline areas, create hazardous conditions in and near the surf zone, and potentially damage exposed infrastructure. Beach erosion is also possible.

UPDATE: SNEAKER WAVE ALERTS CHANGED TO MUCH MORE DANGEROUS WAVE ALERTS

The threat of sneaker waves increases Tuesday night as the first swells arrive, with widespread dangerous surf expected Wednesday into Thursday.

A wave height of 22 to 26 feet is well within the range to get things really going at Coos Bay's Shore Acres. If you're in the area and can take the weather, you may want to check things out.

On the northern half, things are rather serious as well. The NWS has now added a high surf advisory to remain in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday. This covers the north and central Oregon coast and the south Washington coast.

Forecasters expect large, hazardous surf with breakers up to 25 feet. The agency said that destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and coastal structures without warning. People standing on rocks or jetties can be swept into the ocean, and minor beach erosion may damage shoreline properties. Higher-than-normal water run-up is also expected on beaches and low-lying areas.

According to the NWS, the largest waves are likely between 4 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday.

On top of it, the NWS said there is a substantially increased threat of sneaker waves from areas of Warrenton, Seaside, Manzanita, Pacific City, Lincoln City and down through Florence.

“There is a high threat of sneaker waves Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 7-9,” the NWS said. “If you plan on heading to the beach, be cautious and stay observant of incoming waves. Avoid logs and large rocks, and keep children and pets away from the surf zone.”

By Tuesday and Wednesday, seas will be up around 13 to 18 feet, and from there through Friday the period between swells will be a mammoth 15 to 18 seconds. It's that timing between swells that can cause them to pile up and build enormous energy, causing sneaker waves. Seas over 15 feet are by themselves starting to create dangers on beaches, but combined with the sneaker energy you have some very deadly possibilities.

This is a time to be extremely cautious about even setting foot on beaches. Make sure you watch the breakers for a minute or two before going down on the beach. If you see them climb suddenly to an area that wouldn't allow you escape if you were down there: don't go. See what the tidal zone is doing first.

A woman died in Lincoln City recently during such conditions. Tragic Death in Lincoln City Surf Sunday During Varied Wave Alerts on Oregon Coast -

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

See the links below for weather forecasts and even wave observations offshore at that moment in time, as well as links to tide tables.

Washington Coast Weather

Astoria / Warrenton Weather
Seaside Weather
Cannon Beach
Manzanita Weather / Waves
Nehalem Bay / Wheeler
Rockaway Beach Waves, Weather
Oceanside/Tillamook
Pacific City Weather, Waves
Lincoln City Waves, Weather
Depoe Bay Weather
Newport Waves, Weather
Yachats
Florence
Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston
Bandon Weather
Port Orford Weather
Gold Beach Weather
Brookings Weather

 

 

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