Beach Hazards Statement Hits Northern California Coast
The National Weather Service warns of sneaker waves and strong rip currents along the Northern California coast through Tuesday evening.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Forecasts
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The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement for the Northern California coast, running from 5 a.m. Monday through 8 p.m. Tuesday. A long-period northwesterly swell is driving an increased risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents.
Why it matters
Sneaker waves can arrive after 20 or 30 minutes of small surf and surge far past the normal waterline, posing danger to beachgoers and storm watchers across California's coastal regions. The advisory follows a string of similar warnings issued for Point Reyes this year.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for breaking waves of 12 to 17 feet, reaching up to 20 feet at exposed spots. Sneaker waves can arrive 20 or 30 minutes after small surf begins, and the statement does not indicate whether incidents have occurred.
The players
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service is the federal agency responsible for issuing weather forecasts and hazard warnings across the United States, including coastal advisories for California.
National Weather Service Monterey forecast office
The Monterey forecast office is the regional National Weather Service office that issues coastal hazard statements for the central and northern California coast.
The details
The statement covers the coastal North Bay including Point Reyes National Seashore, the San Francisco Peninsula coast, and extends south through Monterey Bay to Big Sur. Point Reyes west- and northwest-facing beaches, including Point Reyes Beach North and South and Kehoe and McClures, take the brunt of big swells.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026, 5 a.m.: Beach hazards statement takes effect.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 8 p.m.: Beach hazards statement expires.
Election Day, November 3, 2026: A weak storm is expected to draw storm watchers to the bluffs.
Seasonal Patterns
This beach hazards statement is one in a series of similar National Weather Service advisories issued for Point Reyes this year, reflecting a pattern of recurring long-period northwesterly swells on the Northern California coast. The warning also arrives alongside a weak Election Day storm expected to draw storm watchers to the bluffs.
Visitors to exposed beaches should stay well back from the waterline, since sneaker waves can surge far past the normal reach of the surf. Rip currents along these beaches are strong, so swimmers and wave-watchers should avoid entering the water during the statement window.
The takeaway
Sneaker waves can strike with little warning after calm surf, so staying well back from the waterline on exposed Northern California beaches is the simplest safeguard through Tuesday evening.
What happens next
The beach hazards statement expires at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and the weak Election Day storm is expected to bring storm watchers to the bluffs that day.
Further reading
For more on what to expect along the coast, see Forecasts for California.
More information
Check the latest conditions from the National Weather Service Monterey forecast office.
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