Sneaker Waves To 22 Feet: North Bay NWS Coastal Advisory

NORTH BAY, CA — Sneaker waves, rip currents and large shore breaks are continuing to impact the North Bay coastline prompting the National Weather Service to extend a Coastal Hazard message through Thursday evening.

"The risk of sneaker waves impacting the coast remains high along the coastline," the NWS advised.

"A sneaker wave is powerful enough to knock unsuspecting people into the ocean. The northwest swell has the ability to generate breaking waves of 17 to 22 feet at favored locations. Swell periods will decrease throughout the day on Thursday, but breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet will still be possible."

The Coastal Hazard message is for Sonoma County south to Big Sur, including Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County. The conditions are expected through 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the NWS.

"Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry," according to the NWS.