WHAT IS AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER?<\/a><\/p>\n But the greatest threat may be along the coastline, where massive ocean<\/a> swells are expected to generate destructive surf and life-threatening sneaker waves.<\/p>\n Sneaker waves are hazardous waves that can surpass normal surf activity and become deadly and destructive.<\/p>\n The latest atmospheric river is currently scraping western Washington<\/a>, bringing rain to the Olympic Peninsula and Washington Cascades.<\/p>\n Conditions along the Oregon<\/a> and Washington coasts have been hazardous all week, with 15- to 20-foot westerly swells dominating the waters.<\/p>\n POWERFUL WAVES NEARLY SWALLOW BEACHGOERS: A scary scene unfolded in Winchester Bay, Oregon, where strong sneaker waves nearly swallowed two people and a dog along the beach. Thankfully, the dog was rescued and is safe with his owners.<\/p>\n These long-period swells can generate sudden sneaker waves that surge significantly farther up beaches <\/a>than normal, sweeping over rocks and jetties with enough force to roll heavy drift logs.<\/p>\n “Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other structures unexpectedly,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said. “Extreme caution should be used if you plan to visit beaches this week.”<\/p>\n The combination of high astronomical tides and persistent onshore wave energy is also expected to produce minor tidal overflow and significant beach erosion.\u00a0<\/p>\n High Surf Advisories are now in place along the Washington coast.<\/p>\n POLAR VORTEX DISRUPTION COULD BE EARLIEST ON RECORD, BUT EL NI\u00d1O IMPACT MAY KEEP US WARM<\/a><\/p>\n However, according to FOX Weather, this event is relatively minor compared to the more powerful system expected to arrive over the weekend.<\/p>\n SECONDS FROM DISASTER: A dangerous sneaker wave dragged a child through rough surf at Cannon Beach, Oregon, on Sunday before an adult pulled the child to safety. https:\/\/t.co\/fg5yedbawn<\/p>\n \u2014 FOX Weather (@foxweather)\u00a0November 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Beginning Friday, a stronger storm system will push a pair of fronts onshore, bringing soaking rain and gusty winds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wind<\/a> gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph along the coast and 40 mph across the Interstate 5 corridor.<\/p>\n WHEN IS THE EARLIEST SNOWFALL ON RECORD FOR PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST?<\/a><\/p>\n Colder air is expected to arrive late Sunday into Monday, dropping snow levels to around 3,500 to 4,000 feet and bringing another round of snow<\/a> to the Cascade passes.<\/p>\n Along the coast, massive 20- to 25-foot waves and offshore seas exceeding 30 feet are expected to slam the shoreline.<\/p>\n These conditions could produce destructive, crashing surf capable of surging over coastal structures and temporarily submerging beaches.<\/p>\n “The large wave runup may dislodge logs on area beaches and result in them rolling up and down area beaches, which have historically killed or seriously injured unsuspecting people, so there will be much more of a threat than just getting wet from a rogue wave,” the NWS said.<\/p>\n PARADE OF STORMS DUMP RAIN ON PACIFIC NORTHWEST: States like Oregon and Washington are dealing with heavy amounts of rain coming down on the area due to a parade of storms. This video captures just a portion of the soaking rain slamming the region. https:\/\/t.co\/ECBXM6lpZq<\/p>\n \u2014 FOX Weather (@foxweather)\u00a0November 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The series of storms expected over the weekend is part of a larger weather pattern that will cause atmospheric pressure to drop between systems. In some cases, pressure is forecast to fall as low as 950 to 960 millibars.<\/p>\nThe amount of rain expected.
(FOX Weather)
\u00a0<\/p>\nThis image shows the wave height forecast.
(FOX Weather)
\u00a0<\/p>\nThis image shows the wind gust forecast.
(FOX Weather)
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