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National Weather ServiceHigh Surf WarningVTEC SU.WArchive to October 1, 2026

High Surf Warning: what it means and how often it is issued

The National Weather Service issued 20 high surf warnings in 2025 and 26 a year on average in 2008-2025; Hawaii, California and Oregon got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 14, 17% below the average of 17 for those months in 2008-2025.

What is a high surf warning?

A high surf warning means very large breaking waves that can wash people off beaches and damage coastal property. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property.

Warning, watch or advisory: the three levels compared

Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.

How many high surf warnings a year?

20 high surf warnings in 2025
2040602008: 2220082009: 1720092010: 2820102011: 920112012: 3220122013: 1820132014: 1920142015: 2520152016: 4720162017: 2520172018: 3620182019: 3120192020: 2720202021: 2820212022: 2020222023: 3720232024: 3220242025: 2020252026: 1420262008-2025 average 262026 through September: 142040602008: 2220082009: 172010: 2820102011: 92012: 3220122013: 182014: 1920142015: 252016: 4720162017: 252018: 3620182019: 312020: 2720202021: 282022: 2020222023: 372024: 3220242025: 202026: 1420262008-2025 average 262026 through September: 142040602008: 2220082009: 172010: 2820102011: 92012: 3220122013: 182014: 1920142015: 252016: 4720162017: 252018: 3620182019: 312020: 2720202021: 282022: 2020222023: 372024: 3220242025: 202026: 1420262008-2025 average 262026 through September: 142040602008: 2220082009: 172010: 282011: 92012: 322013: 182014: 192015: 2520152016: 472017: 252018: 362019: 312020: 2720202021: 282022: 202023: 372024: 322025: 202026: 1420262008-2025 average 262026 through September: 14

National count: each high surf warning counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers
YearCount
2026 (through September)14
202520
202432
202337
202220
202128
202027
201931
201836
201725
201647
201525
201419
201318
201232
20119
201028
200917
200822

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.

When in the year?

High Surf Warnings by month, 2008-2025
50100150Jan: 140JanFeb: 51FebMar: 47MarApr: 16AprMay: 3MayJun: 5JunJul: 8JulAug: 22AugSep: 13SepOct: 29OctNov: 38NovDec: 101Dec14050100150Jan: 140JanFeb: 51FebMar: 47MarApr: 16AprMay: 3MayJun: 5JunJul: 8JulAug: 22AugSep: 13SepOct: 29OctNov: 38NovDec: 101Dec14050100150Jan: 140JanFeb: 51FebMar: 47MarApr: 16AprMay: 3MayJun: 5JunJul: 8JulAug: 22AugSep: 13SepOct: 29OctNov: 38NovDec: 101Dec14050100150Jan: 140JFeb: 51FMar: 47MApr: 16AMay: 3MJun: 5JJul: 8JAug: 22ASep: 13SOct: 29ONov: 38NDec: 101D140

Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.

Which states get the most high surf warnings?

Hawaii gets the most: 11 a year in 2021-2025
HawaiiHawaii: 1111CaliforniaCalifornia: 55OregonOregon: 55FloridaFlorida: 55AlabamaAlabama: 44WashingtonWashington: 22Puerto RicoPuerto Rico: 11TexasTexas: 00GeorgiaGeorgia: 00HawaiiHawaii: 1111CaliforniaCalifornia: 55OregonOregon: 55FloridaFlorida: 55AlabamaAlabama: 44WashingtonWashington: 22Puerto RicoPuerto Rico: 11TexasTexas: 00GeorgiaGeorgia: 00HawaiiHawaii: 1111CaliforniaCalifornia: 55OregonOregon: 55FloridaFlorida: 55AlabamaAlabama: 44WashingtonWashington: 22Puerto RicoPuerto Rico: 11TexasTexas: 00GeorgiaGeorgia: 00HawaiiHawaii: 1111CaliforniaCalifornia: 55OregonOregon: 55FloridaFlorida: 55AlabamaAlabama: 44WashingtonWashington: 22Puerto RicoPuerto Rico: 11TexasTexas: 00GeorgiaGeorgia: 00

Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A high surf warning covering two states counts in both.

StateA year, 2021-2025A year, 2008-20252025
Hawaii111310
California542
Oregon553
Florida533
Alabama423
Washington232
Puerto Rico111
Texas000
Georgia000

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.