West Coast is at high risk for sneaker waves

Dangerous, long period south swell will affect most California beaches, resulting in a high risk of sneaker waves and enhanced rip currents.

The West Coast is no stranger to large waves and dangerous coastal conditions, but the risk will be heightened this week as a very long period swell arrives from the south. These setups tend to produce large sneaker waves and can catch beach-goers completely off guard.

A sneaker wave, also known as a sleeper wave, is a disproportionately large coastal wave that can sometimes appear in a wave train without warning. They tend to reach much further inland than the average wave in the swell. The video below shows examples of sneaker waves along the West Coast.

The south swell and rip currents will continue to affect beaches through Wednesday, particularly along south and west-facing beaches. Los Angeles, coastal Bay Area, and Monterey beaches are some are at risk. If you're headed to the beach, make sure to heed warnings from the lifeguards.

People trapped by the rushing water risk being sucked out to sea or harmed by floating debris. Below are a few simple steps you can take to stay safe: