July Upon Us....

We're almost to the halfway point of the non surfing season in Nor Cal.  Congrats, you've made it.  I'd like to say winds of change are upon us, but the only winds will be coming from the NW as we move more towards the 4th.  Lighter s/sw winds on Saturday, will give way to light NW winds on Sunday - and then the NW wind machine will ramp up through the week.  With it, the windswelll will increase in size.  Not much from the southern hemi - just background swell.  Maybe some dribble to ride early this Sat/Sun.  Keep your expectations low and you might be rewarded.  cya in the water.

Updated Forecast

I was away on business this week - forecast for the week ahead looks like small sw swell fading out on Monday and then windswell and small nw swell in the water for most of the week.  Winds do look on the lighter side as we start the week - but then forecast to get stronger out of the northwest later in the week.  Low pressure system sitting just off the coast tonight will lift out of here on Tuesday bringing warmer temps again inland.  Models are suggesting another cool down next weekend.  So, smallish surf most of the week - might be some moments to get wet - check the winds.  cya in the water.

Updated Forecast

Large windswell in the water today as winds continue to howl offshore.  Small mid period ground swell from an old typhoon in the West Pac is also in the mix, but mainly lost under the dominant windswell.  This is an interesting swell however, since it's the first of two typhoons that are curving north of Japan and getting caught in the westerlies and bringing swell in our direction. More typical of a Fall pattern, but with La Nina fading could be a good sign for the months ahead.  Small southwest/south swell in the water as well.  Look for this trend to continue through the weekend - windswell, background mid period swell (both from the north/northwest) and southern hemi.  Temps get super hot with possible offshore winds this weekend too.  Could clean up some north facing breaks if the forecast holds.  cya in the water

Weekend Forecast

Strong north-northwest winds continue over the outer waters - 25-29kts already this am.  Short to mid period (8-10 sec) north swell filtering in from a storm that was up in the Gulf of AK the past couple days.  Look for this swell to stick around through Sunday and mix in with shorter period windswell.  Also in the mix will be some southwest swell, but only noticeable at south facing breaks.  Probably see head high plus at north facing breaks, but hacked by wind.  Cleaner, smaller at south facing breaks.  Big tide swings this weekend - low tides for AM sessions.  Incoming in the PM.  Water temp still hovering around 49.  Should be something to ride if you know where to look.  cya in the water.

Week Ahead and Hand Planes

 Good friend of mine is shaping these great hand planes.  We did some test runs on them yesterday in some local windslop - super fun.  The lift, drive and pocket position you can achieve using one of these is really special.  If you're interested in one, let me know and i'll get you connected.

Meanwhile, strong late season storm out of the Gulf of Alaska is dropping rain this morning and bringing sw winds.  Swell is a mix of small north and new south showing with some longer periods.  But conditions are trashed due to the wind direction.  Northwest winds for the remainder of the week as high pressure takes control.  We will have a mix of windswell, small traces of north swell and background swell from the southern hemi.  Best bet will probably be breaks protected from the wind.