Southern Hemi Swell on Tap for Weekend

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 | Today we have mostly NW wind and ground swell along the coast along with a small mix of SW ground swell. NW wind swell increases Wednesday when some southerly swell fills in, but we will be dealing with some wind and tidal issues. That significant southern hemi swell we’ve been talking about is still on tap for this weekend with plenty of waves into early next week. There’ll be some NW energy around this time as well.

Right now, the California Buoy is checking in at 7 feet with 11-second periods. Closer to the coast, the Half Moon Bay buoy is at 6 feet with 11-second periods and Cape San Martin buoy is at 5 feet with 13-second periods.

Overall, the swell energy in the water shows NW periods averaging 9 seconds from a steep 305 degrees. SW periods are running 15-17 seconds from 210-220 degrees.

In SoCal, wave heights are running waist to chest high + at most west facing breaks, waist high at south facing spots.

Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing chest to shoulder high surf at most west facing breaks. South facing breaks are running waist high, chest high at spots able to work the NW diffraction.

The tide is becoming an issue as we enter a tidal swing from a New Moon that peaks this Saturday. This spring tide is bringing highs well above the 5-foot range for early AM sessions now, and highs will hit the…[more]

Water temperatures are averaging 64 degrees in San Diego, 64 in Orange County, 64 in LA, 63 in Ventura County, 63 in Santa Barbara, 60 along the Central Coast, and 59 degrees in NCal.

Winds as of 7 this morning were light and variable most everywhere with a slight onshore, northerly element. Afternoon onshores are expected to reach 15 mph, mainly from the WSW. That inside-slider we’ve been talking about the past few days is about to cause some wind issues for most areas with…[more]

South swell due Wednesday as NW builds…[more]

Substantial SW due this weekend…[more]

Wind and tide issues this week…[more]