Stormy Weekend, Big Swell

Strong storm system moving ashore this morning - this will be the last in the series this week and it's the parent low moving in.  Heavy rain at times through tonight, s winds and very large storm surf will develop late Saturday into Sunday with deep water heights pushing 20 ft 13-14 seconds.  Winds are supposed to turn n to nw behind the front sometime on Saturday and then blow NW on Sunday.  So, if you know where to look you might find something to ride.  Cya in the water.

Week Ahead - Winter Returns....

Winter will make a late season appearance starting Tuesday and perhaps lasting for the next 7-10 days with much need heavy rain, south wind and general storm surf.  There are a few places that like big south winds events and driving rain, and if you know where those spots are, and are current with your Hep B and C shots - you'll score.  For the rest of us - get some work done cause it ain't gonna be pretty for a while. Cya on the couch.

Winds have backed off

Not a bad morning out there - winds are light - small windswell - 4-5 at 11 seconds.  Water is cold - 48 deg.  Should be nice Friday morning as well with light winds.  Weekend looks iffy with a storm system scheduled to drop in here Saturday.  More on that later.  Cya in the water.

Windy Week

Gale force winds blowing over the outer waters as a front passed through overnight.  Expect very cold temps and wind today.  Winds will stay out of the northwest most of the week, then may turn south next weekend as another storm system comes through.  So good week to get some work done, walk the dog, take the girlfriend to see a movie you never really wanted to see.  Build up points for when you need them.  Long range models are hinting at a large pattern change with very wet weather around Mid March.  So it might be slim pickings around here for the next 10 days or so.  Like always probably be a few places with waves if you know where to look.  cya in the water.

Back by popular demand....

Well thanks for the emails and such about not being able to hold out for regular reports until September.  I feel your pain and i will try and help.  So i'll continue to update (perhaps just not as regularly as in the heart of the winter season) - so we can all survive the spring and summer around here and find something to ride.  That said, it's going to be really nice around here tomorrow with offshore winds, fairly warm temps for March and some left over wnw swell.  Deepwater swell in the 4-6 ft range.  Smaller on Sunday - but still decent winds forecast in the morning.  Next week looks unsettled off and on with weak weather systems forecast to blow through to our north - so nw winds will probably be an issue.  Cya in the water.

March Upon Us....

Water temps are around 48 degrees, winds are blowing northwest and we're in between cold systems with a decent shot of rain moving in here Tuesday night into Wednesday.  The official end to the winter season is March 1st, but we'll have swell all week, biggest Wednesday and Thursday when deep water swell heights push back up in the 8-15ft range.  Winds will be blowing southwest Tuesday, onshore Wednesday, onshore Thursday and then northwest on Friday.  You might find something to ride if you know where to look.

 Beyond March 1st, i won't be updating this blog on a regular basis unless conditions warrant.  All the links etc will remain active so you can check conditions daily.  Looks to be a cool, windy spring around here - surf early and travel to warmer climates.  Regular updates will start up again in September.  Have a great summer.  Cya in the water.

Windy

NW winds making a mess of things.  Today will be the last warm day inland, but doesn't look very clean near the coast even though the forecast was calling for offshore winds - just not happening.  Swell is up - mix of large steep windswell and groundswell - in the 8-12ft range.  Looking ahead - weekend doesn't look great - low pressure returns, winds come up and should be pretty ugly around here.  Spring conditions most certainly looking to take control.  With the lock down high pressure has had on our region all winter, it will be easy for that to assert full control as we move into March.  I just don't see anything significant changing the pattern in the near future.  Models forecast a stormy period starting in Mid March, which could bring more swell - but that's a long ways off and have to wait and see.  Storms usually bring periods of offshore flow early in the season - (after trough passage) - but late season storms in March and April come with NW winds/flow as they depart our region.  There will be surf - you just have to know where to look.  Cya in the water.

Some Nice Days Ahead

Bit of a break today as winds have stayed east to southeast - and light.  Swell is 6 ft at 12 seconds from around 290.  Look for swell most of this week in the 6-10 ft range (deepwater heights) as we also transition back to some offshore flow and warm temps Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - winds look best for the mornings.  By next weekend, models want to bring another trough of low pressure towards the region perhaps ushering in a wet period for Central/Northern CA.  Have to wait and see.  Enjoy the next couple of days, March is just around the corner.  Cya in the water.

Welcome to Spring?

NW winds are howling over the outer waters and water temps are going to plummet.  Look for winds through the weekend (and early next week) as late season storm systems with minimal moisture drag through Nor Cal, increasing the nw winds with each passage.  There is swell out there - if you don't mind a Gale Warning or two over the next 36 hours.  Looks a lot like Spring, and since March 1st is looming - almost on cue.  If you know where to look - you'll find waves.
cya in the water.

Week Ahead

Those offshore sunny days a distant memory now.....Winter has started in Nor Cal - we have a trough of low pressure directly overhead and moving through the area this morning.  Heavy nw winds, steep swell and a big mess over the open waters.  Look for nw winds most if not all week as a series of low pressure systems sweep through Nor Cal.  Plenty of swell if you know where to find it during these weather patterns - but anything with exposure is going to be big and blown out.  The pattern in the Pacific looks to stay active.  No huge rain storms, just small events.  Cya in the water.

Weekend Forecast

WNW and WSW swells in for the forecast for Saturday and Sunday - deepwater heights will stay in the 8-10ft range - good for double overhead waves at top spots.  Winds are going to be an issue as we have a series of low pressure systems due in, the first Friday night and the second on Sunday.  So look for west (onshore) or west northwest winds through the period.  Plenty of swell about if you know where to look.  Cya in the water.

Weather on the way....

Storm due in Monday through Tuesday.  Conditions will be nasty until Wednesday/Thursday - when a large WNW swell will roll in pushing waves back up to the triple (and bigger) over head range.  Deepwater swell in the 10-15ft range - dropping to 8-12ft on Thursday.  Lighter winds for the AM sessions both days.  cya in the water.

Weekend Forecast

Larger WNW swell will move in over the weekend - peaked at the PAPA buoy at 22-23ft last night.  Swell will begin to fill in overnight and should be quite solid at north facing breaks by morning with deepwater swell in the 8-12 range - bigger at top spots.  Size will stick around Sunday - fading slowly Monday.  Winds look offshore for most of the weekend, with perhaps a bit of an afternoon sea breeze.  Weather looks to change late Monday into Tuesday with rain in the forecast again.  cya in the water.

Week Ahead

Missed the weekend update - but we had really clean conditions both days with offshore flow.  Swell faded out today with small clean waves.  Look for back to back west/northwest swells through next week - with larger surf Wednesday and Thursday - pushing back in the double overhead plus range at north facing breaks.  Generally light morning winds can be expected as the storm track continues to stay to the north leaving 2/3 of the US high and dry.  Cya in the water.

Week Ahead

Last storm of the series moving through the region this morning.  Large, raw west swell still hitting at 12-15ft at 12-14 seconds from 290-300.  After this storm passes, high pressure builds in for the remainder of the week.  We should see light to ne winds each morning as back to back swells line up for mid week and the weekend.  Surf will stay well overhead most of the week and good north facing breaks - looks biggest Thursday with double overhead surf back in the picture.  So, check the winds each day.  Plenty of surf on tap.  Cya in the water.

Go Niners

Good weekend to watch football.  In between storms right now with the next one due to slam in tonight with heavy rain, strong s winds through Saturday morning.  Winds will turn west mid day Saturday before veering back to the south/southeast on Sunday as the next storm comes in.  Swell will be up through the period - getting quite large again late Saturday into Sunday (possible 15ft deepwater) - but very raw and shorter period stuff due to the close proximity of these storms.  Looks like we'll dry out again next week so might be some better days.  Could be some surf if you know where to look this weekend.  Forecast for Candlestick on Sunday:  Wet, damp, probably rain or rain showers.  Temps in the 50s.  C'mon boys, let's beat those Giants.  Cya in the water.

Pattern to change, storm door opens next week....

Today was probably the last really clean day for the next week.  NW swell winding down overnight - still decent in the AM at north facing breaks, but nw winds are already coming up at the buoys as high pressure will get pushed out tomorrow by the first of a series of low pressure systems due to hit the north/central CA coast through next week.  Rain comes back in the forecast around Wednesday, starting north and moving south all week - as storms come in and increase in strength as we move towards next weekend.  There will be swell in the water the next few days, just keep an eye on the winds as things will be far less predictable by the middle of next week.  Cya in the water.

Good Conditions Continue

WNW turning more NW swell peaked today - solid 8-10 ft deepwater at 14-17 seconds.  Look for the swell to wind down Wednesday - but still quite solid.  Much smaller Thursday, then an increase again Friday into Saturday with overhead (some double overhead) waves at north facing breaks.  Winds continue to look good - light to offshore through the period - but best in the mornings.  Models are hinting at a possible pattern change starting later next week with perhaps some rain finally moving into our region after almost a month and a half of no rain.  So get after it for the next 5-7 days.  Cya in the water.

Weekend - stays big and goes offshore

Photo:  Sean Shafer

OB yesterday afternoon, Coast Guard boys doing drills.  Macking West swell winds down Saturday, but still quite solid - double overhead plus at north facing breaks.  High pressure building overhead and inland - result will be light to offshore winds Saturday.  Further swell decay on Sunday, but still pretty decent, good winds.  Next swell should rapidly build late Sunday.  No rain, no snow, nothing through Mid January.  Just swell, offshore winds.  Perfect winter to be a surfer, that is until you need a drink of water next summer.....cya in the water.

Large West Swells To Impact Nor Cal

Back to back west swells through Friday.  First event due in later tonight and will peak during the day on Tuesday.  Look for double/triple overhead waves at north facing breaks.  Second and much bigger swell - due in Thursday - from 260-300 - look for triple overhead +++ at north facing breaks all day Thursday - still quite solid Friday, with size dropping a bit.  Winds look best Tuesday/Wednesday, especially mornings.  NW winds forecast to rise Thursday and Friday - so keep an eye on that.  No rain in the forecast through mid January.  Happy New Year.  Cya in the water.