The Morning Report
Get the news and information you need to take on the day.
Thursday, March 29, 2007 | Today NW swell is starting to back off, water temps have dropped and winds could be a problem in some areas as the morning progresses. Size drops further over the next 48 hours, but then Sunday sets the stage for a series of southern hemi SW swells to start out the month of April.
Right now, the California Buoy is checking in at only 5 feet with 9-second periods, a steady decline from 15 feet about 24 hours ago. Closer to the coast, swell is diminishing as well with the Half Moon Bay buoy at 7 feet with 10-second periods, and the Cape San Martin buoy is at 9 feet with 10-second periods (from a peak yesterday of nearly 17 feet).
Overall, the swell energy in the water shows NW periods averaging 10 seconds from 305, WNW energy is coming through as well from 280, and SW periods are running 15 seconds from 230.
In SoCal, wave heights are running waist to chest high at most west facing breaks with some pluses at standouts towards head high (but rare). South facing breaks are running knee to waist, but dual exposure spots are seeing some chest high stuff at times. Please note also that due to the angle of the predominant NW swell, island blockage is once again affecting the OC region today.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing chest to head high sets at most west facing breaks, waist to chest high at south facing spots.
Please note that the NW swell, although diminishing, still has some consistency to it. As a result there remains a risk of riptides, especially at direct west facing beach breaks, and especially during the outgoing tide today. Alongshore currents are also a concern. The NWS has issued a riptide warning through today as well. Caution is advised.
The tide is a bit of an issue over the next few days as we’re in a moderate tidal swing due to a Full Moon due Monday. This spring tide is bringing highs near 5 feet to…[more]
The recent wind-fest has created an upwelling and dropped water temperatures along the California coast. Water temperatures are currently averaging 56 degrees in San Diego, 56 in Orange County, 56 in LA, 55 in Ventura County, 55 in Santa Barbara, 51 along the Central Coast and an ice-cream-headache 49 degrees in NCal.
Winds as of 7:00 this morning were light and variable most everywhere. We are at a peak of an offshore event today, and winds could increase in some wind-prone locations to 15+ near the coast. Winds should back off this afternoon but could turn briskly from the west to 20 mph late in the afternoon into the evening. Friday into the weekend we’re looking at…[more]
Southern hemi swells begin hitting the coast Sunday…[more]
Bigger SW by Wednesday…[more]
NW for next week not happening…[more]
Tracking southern hemi south swell for the 7th…[more]