High Surf — South Coast, Washington

2020-12-13 to 2020-12-16 · South Coast, Washington

Event narrative

Buoy 46041, Cape Elizabeth, off the Washington coast reported wave heights exceeding 20 feet at 17 seconds at 2040PST on the 13th. Wave heights dropped some on the 14th and 15th. Waves then picked up again on the 16th, this time peaking at 25 feet at 17 seconds at 2240PST on the 16th. Waves subsided below high surf criteria on the morning of the 16th.

Wider weather episode

A very active storm system in the north Pacific generated large swell directed at the Washington and Oregon coasts that lasted for several days. Additionally a combination of high surf and high astronomical tides contributed to tidal overflow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 934929. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.