Bay Area residents heading to the beach this weekend are advised to be extra cautious, as weather officials warn of a sneaker wave risk.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement for sneaker waves and rip currents from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
"The waters may appear deceptively calm but are still dangerous," NWS warned in a Twitter post. "Never turn your back to the ocean!"
The sneaker waves are due to an incoming long period swell, resulting in larger, more powerful surf. Waves of three to six feet at periods of 17 to 23 seconds are expected.
"This is enough to overtake a human and knock them off of rocks, outcroppings, etc and into the ocean where the risk of hypothermia and any other hazards is high," weather officials said.
Lulls of 30 minutes between hazardous waves are likely, so be vigilant of your surroundings if visiting the beaches Sunday and Monday, NWS advised.
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