Sneaker wave threat prompts beach hazards statement for Del Norte coast

By Triplicate Staff October 9, 2026

The National Weather Service in Eureka warns of a sneaker wave threat along the North Coast from Saturday night through Monday.

The beach hazards statement covers the coastline shaded in turquoise, from Del Norte County south to Mendocino County.

Northerly wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are forecast Saturday afternoon and evening, strongest along the coast, headlands and ridges.

The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a beach hazards statement for coastal Del Norte County, warning of an increased threat of sneaker waves from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon.

The statement, issued Friday at noon, takes effect at 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, and runs through 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12. It also covers Northern Coastal Humboldt, Southwestern Humboldt and Coastal Mendocino counties.

Sneaker waves are large, unexpected waves that can sweep across the beach without warning, according to the Weather Service. They can sweep people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches, and can move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath.

“Don’t be fooled by an ocean that looks calm,” the statement says. “There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.”

Forecasters advise beachgoers to avoid rocks, jetties and steep beaches, to stay much farther back from the water and to never turn their back on the ocean.

The Weather Service is also forecasting northerly wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph Saturday afternoon and evening, with locally stronger gusts over ridges and coastal headlands.

Current alerts for the area are posted at weather.gov/eka.