Ucluelet Rogue Wave Was Most Extreme Recorded
A 17.6-meter wave in November 2020 challenged existing global ocean models.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Severe Weather
Live Poll
Is it currently time to prioritize increased funding for extreme weather monitoring in your community?
In November 2020, a massive 17.6-meter rogue wave struck near Ucluelet, British Columbia, marking the most extreme event of its kind on record. Researchers determined this event was nearly three times the size of surrounding waves.
Why it matters
Understanding how these rogue waves form is critical for improving marine safety and real-time forecasting tools. New findings suggest that current global models consistently underestimate the height of these dangerous ocean phenomena.
The Ucluelet rogue wave reached 17.6 meters in height, occurring with an estimated frequency of once every 1,300 years. Data shows that 75 percent of tracked rogue waves were preceded by a sharp drop in wave correlation.
The players
MarineLabs
This organization specializes in marine monitoring technology and deployed the offshore buoy network used to detect and record the Ucluelet wave.
Johannes Gemmrich
He is a physicist who performed detailed analysis and descriptions of the Ucluelet rogue wave event starting in 2022.
The details
MarineLabs deployed an offshore buoy network to record the event, revealing that rogue waves often cluster off the US West Coast and the North Atlantic. Researchers tested years of this buoy data against existing models to identify patterns, finding that waves can be up to four times higher than previously expected.
Timeline
A rogue wave struck an oil platform near Norway in 1995.
The Ucluelet rogue wave occurred in November 2020.
Physicist Johannes Gemmrich described the wave in 2022.
Experimental research on wave heights was published in 2024.
Analysis of buoy data was published in February 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
This event updates the historical record set by the 1995 Draupner wave, which measured 25.6 meters while striking an oil-drilling platform near Norway. It demonstrates that rogue wave occurrences are more frequent and extreme than previous models indicated.
For those operating in high-risk zones like the North Pacific or North Atlantic, real-time wave monitoring is essential for safety. Mariners should consult updated forecasting tools that account for the sharp correlation dips often seen before a wave impacts.
The takeaway
Rogue waves remain a significant threat to maritime operations as climate change continues to alter North Pacific wave heights. Future safety protocols should rely on the discovery that correlation dips can serve as early warnings for these events.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and global tracking efforts on our Severe Weather page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScienceAlert.
Live Poll
Is it currently time to prioritize increased funding for extreme weather monitoring in your community?
