What are "sneaker waves" and why are they dangerous?

Sneaker waves are larger-than-normal swells that can strike suddenly and without warning, surging much further up the beach than prior waves. They have been responsible for numerous deaths along the West Coast, posing a greater threat than all other weather hazards combined.

How long are the hazardous conditions expected to last?

The hazardous conditions, including high surf advisories and warnings about sneaker waves, are expected to persist through Wednesday, with some alerts potentially extending into Thursday.

What is the National Weather Service (NWS) advising people to do?

The NWS is urging beachgoers to exercise extreme caution, avoid entering the water, and heed the advice of local weather officials due to the dangerous conditions along the West Coast.

Home / Weather / Sneaker Waves Pose Deadly Danger Along Pacific

Sneaker Waves Pose Deadly Danger Along Pacific

22 Oct, 2025

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Summary

NWS issues weather alerts for entire West Coast
Sneaker waves can suddenly surge, injuring or killing beachgoers
Dangerous conditions expected to last through Wednesday

Sneaker Waves Pose Deadly Danger Along Pacific

As of October 22nd, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of weather alerts for nearly the entire western U.S. coastline. These alerts, which include small craft advisories, high surf warnings, and hazardous seas warnings, are in response to an impending atmospheric river system expected to hit the Pacific Northwest later this week.

While the current conditions are not directly caused by the atmospheric river, NWS meteorologists explain that both weather events are the result of a strong, westerly flow. The marine impacts, such as dangerous waves and swells, are being driven by steady winds that are causing waves to build and travel across the ocean.