Updated Forecast

Mix of small southwest and northwest groundswells continued today - but winds were on it early and stayed pretty much on it all day.  Look for nw winds the rest of the week - but plenty of swell if you can find a spot clean to ride it.  South/southwest pulses to continue, a new nw groundswell and then late week - windswell should get pretty good size (head to overhead) as we roll into the weekend.  Cya in the water.

Southwest swell continues, off season WNW groundswell on the way

SW/SSW groundswell will continue (190-215) - keeping the surf up at south facing breaks through the weekend and into early next week.  Long period forerunners from a late season storm in the N Pac will begin to roll in Thursday.  Swell is from 290-300 and will build further Friday and hold through Saturday, fading out Sunday.  At it's peak, look for chest - head high sets with overhead sets at north facing breaks (which wont likely be rideable due to the NW winds).

Winds and water temps:  Water temps have plummeted back to the upper 40s - due to the ongoing gale force winds in our outer waters.  Winds are going to continue from the northwest through the holiday weekend.  Find protection from those winds and you'll find plenty of surf to ride for late May.  Cya in the water.  

Updated Weekend Forecast, first good south swell of the season moving north

This morning north/northwest winds are blowing outer waters - still seeing mainly windswell, however Santa Cruz is starting to see long period forerunners of the much hyped about south swell that hit Tahiti early in the week and then Hawaii.  We wont see as much size naturally this far north, however should be a decent run of swell coming for the next week or so.  Swell will filter in slowly today and tonight and be more on the rise Sunday.  By Monday/Tuesday - the first pulse of this swell will peak and then we will see reinforcing shots through the end of the week.  Look for deepwater swell to range 3-5ft with periods 17-19 seconds.   Winds are going to shift northerly tonight and Sunday, then possibly a bit offshore on Monday.  Thereafter probably see a return to onshore winds/northwest winds as a strong low pressure system drops down from BC and pushes the fog and low clouds back in. So get some the next couple days for sure.  Cya in the water.

Rain Chances Thursday, Good Run of South Swell for Next Week

Light rain may return to the region starting tomorrow - moving north to south during the day as a fairly strong late season storm moves ashore.  Rain will be on the light side and gone by Friday.  Northwest winds are blowing this morning and should continue to do so for the next few days.  By the weekend and in particular on Sunday, long period forerunners will begin to show (late in the day) as a good run of southwest to south swell (200-215 degrees) hits California.  Spots that work well with a southwest swell could see head high and at times larger sets as the swell peaks on Monday/Tuesday.  After the initial pulse, smaller events will continue good size surf for most of next week.  I'll get a better handle on size once the swell enters the So Cal window and begins to move up the coast.  Winds look lighter for late Sunday and Monday, which will help prevent a lot of swell decay for the first part of the event. Since it's May, winds are always suspect around these parts - so know your spots and check the wind links and you'll find something to ride next week.  Cya in the water.

Updated Forecast

NW windswell will be the primary source of energy through most of the upcoming week.  Look for deepwater size running in the 3-5 ft range Monday and Tuesday.  Small south moves in Monday/Tuesday, but probably wont be very noticeable unless you're some place that can focus the energy.  Next pulse of stronger south swell looks to be around May 20-22 - and to continue for a few days after.  Onshore winds, fog the norm at the coast thru the period.  Cya in the water.

Updated Forecast

Well, couple nice days and things have gone back into the toilet as we go through the weekend.  Very strong south/southeast winds started ramping up late afternoon and will continue thru Sunday as an area of low pressure moves through the state from east to west (very unusual) while at the same time another low pressure system moves towards us from the open ocean.  These two systems will combine sometime around late Sunday into Monday and bring a very slight chance of rain to the region.  Biggest story will be the winds.  Small mix of southwest windswell and northwest windswell looks to be the rule for the next few days, getting much smaller from Wednesday on.  So not looking like a great week ahead for stellar surf days.  Get what you can.  Cya in the water.

GO SURF

Offshore winds, warm temps, head high south swell sets.  Go surf.  It's May 2 and we don't get days like this around here in May.  Cya in the water.