Tampa Bay Graphical HWO Waves

Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook

Today's Weather Impact Levels (click on specific hazard for details)
Lightning	Tornado	Wind	Hail	Inland Flood	Coastal Flood	Rip Current	Waves	Visibility	Heat/Cold



Waves Hazard

Wind Waves & Swell

Legend (Click for Impacts)
None	Significant wave height 4 feet or less.
Low	Significant wave height 5 to 7 feet.
Moderate	Significant wave height 8 to 12 feet. High Surf and minor beach erosion nearshore.
High	Significant wave height 13 to 19 feet. Battering surf with major beach erosion.
Extreme	Significant wave height ≥20 feet. Deadly surf with devastating beach erosion.

Wave Impact Statement

For additional hazard information, view the full Hazardous Weather Outlook text.

Wave Impact Definitions

Wave Impact: None

Sea state ranges from flat to that pictured, including wavelets and a few breaking crests with isolated whitecaps.

Wave Impact: Low

Sea state includes small to occasionally medium sized waves, becoming longer in period. Scattered to numerous whitecaps are observed.

Wave Impact: Moderate

High Surf and Minor Beach Erosion Likely with Onshore Swell.

Larger Waves will form; some breakers will be observed at sea. Wave period will also increase. Numerous whitecaps are observed, as well as occasional sea spray.

Wave Impact: High

Battering Surf and Major Beach Erosion Likely with Onshore Swell

Numerous large waves of increasing length will be observed. Breaking waves become more common; edges turn into spindrift. Foam is blown in well marked streaks, sea is at least one third white from foam. Blowing spray is constant and pulsing. Winds will be gale force in or near the area.

Wave Impact: Extreme

Deadly Surf and Devastating Beach Erosion Likely with Onshore Swell

Boaters of all stripes should remain in port. Breaking, very large waves with overhanging crests will be observed. Much of the sea will appear white due to heavy streaked foam. Constant, intense blowing spray will reduce visibility below 1 nautical mile at times. Storm to hurricane force winds will be observed in or near the area.