March Arrives - Week Ahead

Well, March 1st is officially the start to the spring surfing season on our north coast.  However, winter is still very much in charge.  Large storm is forecast to roar ashore late Tuesday through Wednesday with high winds and plenty of rain.  In fact south winds look the rule from Tuesday afternoon until probably Thursday when things will turn west/southwest - then perhaps light to variable winds on Friday.  Swell wise - new pulse of northwest swell if filling in tonight - 5-6 ft at 14 from super steep angle - 320 plus.  Swell will quickly top out tomorrow afternoon.  Back to back westerly swells look to come in Wed/Thurs - probably biggest Thursday - with well overhead waves at the north facing breaks.  That swell will drop out quickly on Friday.  Another big storm is due in here next weekend.  So, for the next couple days find spots that like south winds.  cya in the water.

Weekend Forecast - No Snow for you!

Winds kicked around to the northwest this afternoon - mid period windswell the rule for the weekend - overhead at north facing breaks - could still be a sloppy mess as well unless you find some place protected.  Freezing temps overnight - winds might lighten up by daybreak, so worth checking.  The big SNOW was a big hype fest by NOAA and our friends in the national weather service - although if you live in the Santa Cruz or Santa Lucia Mtns - you might see a dusting of the white stuff tonight.  Otherwise - probably looking at a sunny, chilly weekend - with spring time type windswell/mid period swell from a steep northwest angle.  Check it and you might get lucky.  cya in the water. 

Week Ahead - Snowboard Nob HIll

Very cool to surf this weekend in West Marin with snow capped peaks in the background.  If you like cold, snow and wet - then the end of this week could get very interesting - with a very cold low forecast to drop down out of Canada bringing us a chance of snow at sea level Thursday, Friday.  It's happened before during strong La NIna winters - so it will be interesting to watch things develop. Between now and then - small surf pretty much the rule with perhaps northeast winds on Tuesday - then the flow turns onshore Wednesday-Friday as the weather turns cold and showery.  Steep angle northwest swell will pick up from Wednesday on with head high and overhead surf (especially Friday) at northwest facing breaks.  Just check the winds as i think it will be hard to find many places clean.  How i miss those balmy days in January....cya in the water.

Weekend Forecast

cold, wet weather to continue through the weekend - maybe a break Sunday.  Back to back, smaller west/northwest swells should be good for head to overhead surf at north facing breaks - smaller at protected spots.  Winds do look light for morning sessions - so might be worth a look.
cya in the water.

STORMY

Was up on the North Coast this weekend - way north - amazing weekend and let's just say conditions on that part of the coast are rarely that sunny Mid February.  It's all come to a crashing stop today - as the first in a series of pacific systems come ashore this week.  At this point - it looks nasty right through next weekend.  There will be periods of good size swell, plus plenty of south winds.  Might see some breaks later in the week with some potential east/northeast winds by Thursday/Friday - but my best call would be to check the winds daily and know which breaks will work on different wind directions.  There will certainly be something to surf each day- you just gotta know where to look!  cya in the water.

Weekend Forecast

We should have one more morning of decent winds and might get lucky for Sunday morning with light/variable winds.  West swell winding down through tomorrow and then a new, bigger pulse of WNW comes in - pumping things back up in the 6-10 ft range - double overhead at the north facing breaks on Sunday.  After Sunday - low pressure will take center stage pumping waves of showers/rain into California for most of next week.  Much cooler temperatures as well - especially by Friday - and most likely unfavorable winds on and off.  So get out the next two mornings and enjoy - then winter will make a return next week.  cya in the water.

New swell overnight - winds are offshore

New west swell is showing - 6-10 ft at 15-16 seconds.  Bigger further north you go.  Swell will be in here AM - winds should stay offshore.  Look for overhead surf at north facing breaks Thursday/Friday.  Winds look decent for the next few days - our brief Spring time blow has come to an end - but it's a harbinger of things to come my surfing friends.  So make sure to get out and enjoy the good days.  We also have a major pattern change taking shape for next week with rain expected to return as early as Monday - lasting through the entire week if the forecast holds up.  cya in the water.

Feels like Spring, looks like Spring.....

North winds howling offshore - buoys showing winds in the 29-35kt range - steep/short period windswell as a result in the 7-10ft range at a lovely 8 seconds from 330.  Look for winds to continue overnight - and then start to calm down as we move through the week.  In fact we may see a return to light morning winds starting Wednesday and lasting through Friday.  So don't panic yet.  We are looking at back to back small pulses of WNW swells starting late tonight and lasting through Friday.  Nothing huge, probaby in the 4-7 ft range (deep water swell heights) - with a bit more size Thurs/Fri.  By the weekend - and into early the following weekend - high pressure moves off - and low pressure move in - with a decent storm forecast next Tuesday, chance of rain this weekend.  Still way early to call - but something to keep an eye on.  We need more rain and snow in the mountains before the rainy season shuts down - so that is not all together a bad thing.  Keep an eye on the winds this week - know your spots and you might find a few waves here and there.  cya in the water.

North Winds kicking up

quick update - north winds are blowing hard at the buoys offshore and look to continue overnight.  Check winds early - as north facing breaks may be a mess.  Otherwise - fading west swell and short period windswell the rule - along with a small pulse of south - for Sunday.

8ft plus at 14 seconds

WNW swell filling in today - will peak overnight and start to fade some Saturday. Double overhead at north facing breaks today.  Down to 6-8 ft deepwater Saturday morning - and fading further on Sunday.  Weekend looks really nice - light winds/offshore at times.  Doesn't look like we'll have any fog - certainly no chance of rain.  cya in the water.

February - More good weather/waves on tap

Fog hanging around inland and at the coast today - fading west swell at 4-5 ft.  Look for surf to stay small the rest of the week - heading back up Thursday/Friday - which will feature deep water swell in the 6-10 ft range.  Offshore winds will kick up tonight and remove the fog - Wednesday morning should be really good at north facing breaks.  Swell moves in late Thursday and tops out on Friday.  Decent morning winds (if not most of the day) look to continue through the weekend.  Right now no rain is forecast through mid February - long range models are hinting at perhaps a significant pattern change around Feb 12-15 - to a wetter regime - but that's a long ways off right now.  Enjoy another fine run of weather.  February is considered the "last" real month of winter waves in Nor Cal - and with La Nina still in control - we could be in for a very windy, small wave spring.  So get it while you can.  cya in the water.