Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 | Today we have a hefty amount of NW wind and ground swell along the coast. This will be backing down over the next couple of days as weather turns dry and an offshore flow develops. A lighter boost in NW is due midweek, and a fairly good-sized NW swell is due by the end of the week.
Right now, the California Buoy is checking at 14 feet with 11-second periods. Closer to the coast, the Half Moon Bay buoy is at 18 feet with 14-second periods and Cape San Martin buoy is at 12 feet with 12-second periods.
Overall, the swell energy in the water shows WNW periods averaging 12 seconds from 285-295 degrees.
In SoCal, wave heights are running head high at most west facing breaks, a couple feet overhead at standouts. South facing breaks are running chest high with pluses at dual exposure spots.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing sets running 15+ feet on the faces at most west facing breaks. South facing breaks are seeing plenty of NW diffraction and are running head high+.
Since most areas have seen rain in the past 24 hours, we are once again facing the possibility of increased bacteria levels from runoff. As a reminder, there is a risk of increased bacteria levels through a period of at least 72-hours following the end of any measurable rain event. Water contact should be avoided during this period, especially within 100 yards of drainpipes, creek outlets, river mouths, etc.
The tide is an issue for early AM sessions as we’re now well into a tidal swing from a New Moon that’ll peak on Wednesday. This spring tide is bringing highs into…[more]
Water temperatures are averaging 60 degrees in San Diego, 60 in Orange County, 61 in LA, 58 in Ventura County, 60 in Santa Barbara, 58 along the Central Coast, and 57 degrees in NCal.
Winds as of 7:00 this morning were light and variable more everywhere. A northerly flow is in place, and all regions should see some NNW winds by late morning to 14 mph, turning more westerly in the afternoon. By Monday, the…[more]
Slight NW with small SW midweek…[more]
NW by end of week…[more]