National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Back-to-Back Pacific Storms to Impact the West Coast; Heavy Snow in the Central Appalachians

Back-to-back powerful Pacific storm systems to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern California through the end of this week with heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow. A strong, long-duration atmospheric river will accompany the Pacific storms, bringing excessive rainfall and flash flooding to southwest Oregon and northwest California through the week. Read More >

Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook
  Today's Weather Impact Levels  (click on specific hazard for details)
Lightning Tornado Wind Hail Inland
Flood
Coastal
Flood
Rip
Current
Waves Visibility Heat/Cold
Lightning Tornado Wind Hail Inland Flooding Coastal Flooding Rip Current Seas/Waves Visibility Heat/Cold
Lightning Tornado Wind Hail Inland Flooding Coastal Flooding Rip Current Seas/Waves Visibility Heat/Cold
 
 Waves Hazard
Wave Image
 Legend (Click for Impacts)
None Significant wave height 4 feet or less.
Low Significant wave height 5 to 7 feet.
Moderate Significant wave height 8 to 12 feet. High Surf and minor beach erosion nearshore.
High Significant wave height 13 to 19 feet. Battering surf with major beach erosion.
Extreme Significant wave height ≥20 feet. Deadly surf with devastating beach erosion.
Current Graphical Product
 
 Wave Impact Statement
For additional hazard information, view the full Hazardous Weather Outlook text.
 
 Wave Impact Definitions
 Wave Impact: None
Sea state ranges from flat to that pictured, including wavelets and a few breaking crests with isolated whitecaps.
 Wave Impact: Low
Sea state includes small to occasionally medium sized waves, becoming longer in period. Scattered to numerous whitecaps are observed.
 Wave Impact: Moderate
High Surf and Minor Beach Erosion Likely with Onshore Swell.

Larger Waves will form; some breakers will be observed at sea. Wave period will also increase. Numerous whitecaps are observed, as well as occasional sea spray.
 Wave Impact: High
Battering Surf and Major Beach Erosion Likely with Onshore Swell

Numerous large waves of increasing length will be observed. Breaking waves become more common; edges turn into spindrift. Foam is blown in well marked streaks, sea is at least one third white from foam. Blowing spray is constant and pulsing. Winds will be gale force in or near the area.
 Wave Impact: Extreme
Deadly Surf and Devastating Beach Erosion Likely with Onshore Swell

Boaters of all stripes should remain in port. Breaking, very large waves with overhanging crests will be observed. Much of the sea will appear white due to heavy streaked foam. Constant, intense blowing spray will reduce visibility below 1 nautical mile at times. Storm to hurricane force winds will be observed in or near the area.