The National Weather Service is warning of rough waters and dangerous conditions along the Oregon coast this weekend.
NWS issued a Beach Hazards Statement, stating that sneaker waves are expected from southern Washington down much of the Oregon coast, from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening.
"Waves can run up significantly farther on a beach than normal, including over the rocks and jetties, and so if you get knocked over you can be pulled into the ocean and that can lead to injury or drowning," said Noah Alviz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland.
He said it is best to remain away from the water while large waves are possible, but those who go near the ocean should remain vigilant.
NWS also issued a Small Craft Advisory from 5:00 p.m. Friday until 8:00 p.m. Saturday. Alviz said gusts up to 25 nautical miles per hour are possible during that timeframe.
The rough ocean conditions are due to a low pressure system in the northeast Pacific Ocean that will bring in a westerly swell.
Conditions like this are tough for surfers, said Casey Felton, who works at Ossies Surf Shop in Newport.
“It tends to be survival mode, and scary, and boards breaking," he told KLCC. "The chances of getting hurt or drowning are…I don’t want to say exponentially increase, but it’s a lot. It’s a lot more likely.”
KLCC's Brianna Bowman contributed to this story.
