Dangerous Sneaker Waves Expected Along the NorCal Coast This Weekend

If you’re thinking about heading to the coast this weekend, the National Weather Service is urging caution. A warning has been issued for potentially deadly sneaker waves reaching 13 to 18 feet along the Northern California shoreline through 10 p.m. Sunday.

Sneaker waves are especially dangerous because they appear suddenly during otherwise calm surf. They form when offshore swells and coastal winds collide just right, creating powerful waves that surge far higher and farther up the beach than expected. These surprise surges can knock people off their feet, sweep them into the ocean, or pull them into strong rip currents.

West-facing beaches — including Ocean Beach in San Francisco, stretches of the Santa Cruz County coast, and areas near Pacifica — face the highest risk. The NWS warns beach visitors to stay far back from the water, avoid climbing on rocks or jetties, and never turn their back on the ocean.

Adding to the danger, the ocean is extremely cold right now. A buoy off the San Francisco coast recorded a 57-degree water temperature Friday morning. According to the University of Sea Kayaking, water this cold can cause loss of dexterity within 15 minutes and can lead to life-threatening hypothermia in as little as one hour.

With high surf, powerful rip currents, and frigid water temperatures, officials say this weekend is not ideal for surfing, tidepooling, or exploring the shoreline.