Decent conditions mix of swells

Winds at this hour are much lighter than forecast - last night was actually pretty epic - front passed, gradients dropped to nothing and the WNW swell pulsed nice at north facing breaks.  This AM, WNW is fading a tad - 5.8 ft at 12 seconds - as a new pulse of SW swell begins to show - 2.8ft at 17.  The forecast still calls for winds to start to increase from the northwest today - as high pressure builds from the East which should trigger the winds to jump given the big difference in pressure (land to sea).  WNW swell will hang around as will the SW swell for the remainder of the week.  SW swell to be the main feature this coming weekend.  It's going to get very hot inland as high pressure peaks early next week.  If the high pressure moves far enough to the coast, we might see light winds (especially mornings) - otherwise, it's forecast to remain foggy near the beach with onshore winds - while just a few miles inland it could be extremely hot.  One of those heat events you need to keep an eye on the winds and if you get a window - hit it.  Cya in the water.

Offseason WNW Swell

An unusually strong Pacific weather system will be affecting both our weather and waves for the next week.  Rain in the forecast at times through at least Tuesday.  The system will kick up a longer period WNW swell with well overhead waves forecast at top winter spots for Wed/Thurs - smaller surf Friday into the weekend from the same event. but still something to ride.  Winds will continue to be the issue - south to southwest winds from the storm the next 24-36 hours, then changing back to northwest flow.  So finding something clean to ride will require some hunting.  Cya in the water.

Updated Forecast

NW Winds, no swell to speak of, welcome to the dark days of summer in Nor Cal.  I'm off this week - so there wont be any reports.  Don't worry, you're not missing anything.  Good week to get stuff done.  cya in the water.  September is one day closer everyday.

South Swell Madness

We are a crazy lot us surfers - hit link:

Wedge - So Cal

Week ahead....

Hope you found some waves during our recent southwest swell.  Was a tricky few days with the winds not ideal, but there were some memorable waves up and down the coast.  We're back to reality again this week - nw wind and nw windswell.  The windswell will continue to grow through mid week and then fade into the weekend.  Background southwest swell remains in the water, but quite small.  A longboard, patience and you might find something to ride at a spot protected from the winds.  September is only 2 1/2 months away or so.  Cya in the water.

Southwest swell beginning to show

Seeing some 3-4ft at 22-23 second energy at Monterey Buoy and SF Bar.  Swell just starting to show and will fill in today.  Should be some decent size by sunset.  Look for surf through the weekend and typical June weather - warm inland, fog at the coast.  Winds look to remain out of the west through the period, but might be better the further north you go.  The good news for this swell is the wind offshore has been lighter so we wont see as much swell degradation as it moves into our coastal waters.  Cya in the water.  **note - the 2013 tide link is acting wonky this morning so use the NOAA link i've added until they correct the situation.

South Swell mid to late next week

Large storm complex down under has whipped up a decent south swell which should start to show around our shores Wednesday with long period forerunners (25 sec) in the afternoon.  Swell will fill in and trend up on Thursday with deepwater forecast in the 3-4ft range at 20-22 seconds.  Swell holds Friday as period drops into the 18-19 second range - and residual swell still showing Saturday as period drops to 17 seconds.  This swell will probably be on par with the last south a couple weeks back, perhaps a tad bigger.  Much will depend on the northwest winds at the time and if it's shredding all the way down the coast to Pt Conception - expect this swell to come in smaller.  Souths that get a lot of hype rarely live up to it around our part of the world.  There are certain spots that will harness the energy, but even those spots can be very fickle depending on the direction of the swell, tide and wind.  If you've surfed up here a long time, you already know this.  Points further south always fair much better.  Should be impressive when it hits Mexico and So Cal - we will see what we get.  Cya in the water.

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.

Updated Forecast

NW windswell on the rise tonight as high pressure to our east and north has increased the wind flow over the outer waters.  Should see surf in the 3-5 ft range on Monday - with short periods - 8-9 seconds.     By Tuesday, windswell should crank up a bit more to 4-6ft deep water with periods 10-11 seconds.  Fading Wednesday and thru the end of the week.  A southwest swell will begin to fill in Wednesday and stick around thru the end of the week as well.  Nothing huge, probably deepwater in the 3 ft range. Warm temps the next week inland and there may be a few days where the warmth makes it all the way to the coast.  Winds are worth checking for the AM sessions.  I expect most afternoons will see increased northwest/onshore flow.  Cya in the water.

Week Ahead...

Small windswell and background south swell in the water this morning.  3-5 ft at 8-9 sec - and 1.5 ft at 14-17 sec.  Winds are light right now and will pick up later in the day from the northwest.  Forecast is calling for East winds Tuesday am, but i'm a bit suspect of that.  We'll see what happens.  Otherwise, southerly surge of fog and wind will get underway later in the week and put an end to this little heat wave.  The only upside is that it should bring water temps back up above the 50 degree mark late in the week.  Swell wise - windswell/small pulses of northwest Gulf swell through the period along with an increasing south/southwest swell from about Wednesday on.  Check the winds early, be flexible and you might find some surf.  Cya in the water.

Goodnight Orion

Orion setting in the western sky early.  We are moving into spring with windswell plentiful, but some south swell action here and there.  Small background souths up until the end of the month (steep angle too) - then we might see a decent run of south swell end of April into early May.  The N Pac has gone to sleep for the season.  Might see a few small pulses from the northwest between now and the end of April.  Winds have lightened up some, but we will still see nw wind flow through the period.  Might be a few mornings where the flow is light enough for a session - always good to check the winds and surf early this time of year.  Cya in the water.

All you need to really know is the water temp is 47 degrees

Northwest winds continue to shred the outer waters and the upwelling machine is in full effect.  Would not be surprised to see water temps fall to 46 in the next couple days.  Quite cold for around here.  Spring in Nor Cal. Front moved through last night and we have another wind event lining up for this afternoon and evening - followed by northwest winds the remainder of the week.  Windswell will be the rule, then mid week a small south swell will join in (probably 2-3 ft at 17-18 sec) - but I imagine it will be smaller than forecast in our region given the fact the swell will come up the coast pushing against nw winds the entire way.  So, protected spots the call and a warm wetsuit.  Cya in the water.

Updated Forecast - No Surf for You!

One look at local beach cams today tells it all - nw winds and victory at sea.  At the height of the wind event late Sunday into Monday - water temps tumbled 4 degrees in about five hours.  Winds will blow most of the day and probably start to let up overnight.  But the damage is done with large, choppy windswell in the water and minor southwest swell.  The rest of the week looks trashed - nw winds the entire time - best bet would be spots protected from the winds.  Spring has arrived in Nor Cal.  Cya in the water.

Larger WNW Groundswell for the Weekend

Another beneficial storm is moving out of the region tonight.  We will see an increase in surf from the wnw starting late tomorrow - as long period forerunners will come in - 3-5ft at 20 seconds - with good size sets probably by sunset.  Saturday and Sunday will feature 8-10 ft deepwater - good for double overhead sets at north facing breaks.  Ditto on Monday.  Problem is going to be the winds - forecast to be light onshore most of the time - not ideal - but probably best to check winds early to see if you can catch a window. High pressure is going to set up, however storm systems may brush the very far north bay during the weekend.  Plenty of surf on tap - just going to take some hunting.  Cya in the water.