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14h ago

NWS Keeps High-Surf Alerts in Effect Along West Coast as Sneaker-Wave Risk Rises

Long-period swell from a North Pacific low is driving hazardous breakers with a high risk of sneaker waves.

Surfers watch the waves at Rodeo Beach in Sausalito in December 2025. A high surf advisory has been issued for the entire Bay Area coastline, beginning 1 a.m. Thursday and lasting through 10 p.m. Friday.
Huge pounding surf causes breaking waves to come crashing over the Redondo Beach breakwater on to a sail boat during a winter storm day
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SYDNEY, NSW - APRIL 09: A sign showing dangerous conditions is seen at Tamarama Beach April 9, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. A deep low-pressure system in the Southern Tasman Sea combined with south-westerly winds has produced southerly swells between four to five meters along the east coast of News South Wales. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Overview

  • High-surf and small-craft advisories cover California, Oregon, and Washington, with some locations expecting breaking waves up to 25–26 feet.
  • The Bay Area is under a high-surf advisory from 1 a.m. Thursday through 10 p.m. Friday, with 15–20 foot surf and strong rip currents.
  • The swell originated from a strong low-pressure system near Alaska, sending long-period waves that can produce dangerous surf even during calm weather onshore.
  • The National Weather Service urges beachgoers to stay well back from the water, avoid rocks and jetties, watch for moving logs, and never turn their back on the ocean.
  • Inexperienced mariners and operators of small vessels are advised to avoid hazardous seas as strong winds and large waves create dangerous navigation conditions.