Sunday, April 1, 2007 | Today southern hemi SW swell is starting to make its way into the region and will increase over the next couple of days. A northerly onshore push is in place, but conditions should fare well this week with moderate spring weather and a workable tide. We’re also tracking some light southern hemi for the weekend along with what could be some sizeable NW, and it looks like we could see some very impressive south swell on the 11th.
Right now, the California Buoy is checking in at only 4 feet with 9-second periods, showing only the NW wind swell around the coast. Closer to the coast, the Half Moon Bay buoy is similar at 4 feet with 10-second periods, and the Cape San Martin buoy is at 3 feet with 10-second periods.
Nearer toward SoCal waters though SW swell is coming through sporadically with Point Conception checking in with 19-second periods, Harvest at 20, and San Diego/OC buoys recording 18+ second energy.
Overall, the swell energy in the water shows NW periods averaging 10 seconds from 300 degrees and SW periods running 18-20 seconds from 195-205 degrees.
Note that the long periods in today’s swell (and others headed our way this week) will inevitably make for variation in size between breaks of…[more]
In SoCal, wave heights are running waist to chest high at most south facing breaks, although sets above waist high are still a bit sporadic. West facing breaks are running waist high with some pluses at dual exposure spots.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing chest high sets at most west facing breaks, waist to chest high at south facing spots.
Despite a Full Moon on Monday, the tide will remain at fairly manageable levels this week, although by the end of the week we’ll be seeing some extreme lows for the dawn patrols…[more]
Water temperatures have rebounded a bit and are currently averaging 56 degrees in San Diego, 57 in Orange County, 57 in LA, 56 in Ventura County, 57 in Santa Barbara, 52 along the Central Coast and 50 degrees in NCal. A northerly flow is expected over the next 48 hours in…[more]
Winds as of 8:00 this morning were light and variable most everywhere. Afternoon onshores are expected to reach 12-15 mph. A northerly flow is expected tonight, which could…[more]
Southern hemi swells this week…[more]
Tracking NW for weekend…[more]
Tracking potentially powerful south swell for 11th…[more]