Thursday, April 12, 2007 | Today we still have a lot of heavy surf along the California coast, but conditions aren’t looking pretty. More NW is due Sunday into Monday, but another wind event is due this weekend. We’re tracking some NW for the 18th-19th, but weather models don’t paint a rosy picture for this one right now. We’re also watching some southern hemi headed our way for the 22nd.
Right now, the California Buoy is checking in at 11 feet with short, 10-second periods. Closer to the coast, the Half Moon Bay buoy is at 13 feet with 11-second periods, and the Cape San Martin buoy is at 14 feet with 10-second periods.
While these northern buoys are showing the NW element along the coast, most SoCal near-shore buoys are seeing also some impressively sized south swell energy with seas running 4.0-7.0+ feet with 16-18 second periods.
Overall, the predominant swell energy in the water shows WNW periods averaging a very short and stormy 8-10 seconds from 295 degrees and SSW periods running a long, 17 seconds from 185-205 degrees.
In SoCal, wave heights are running head high+ around most south facing breaks with some set waves coming through running 1-3 feet overhead, DOH on some waves at standout south facing breaks. West facing breaks are running a sloppy chest to head high, bigger though at times at standouts.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing sets running DOH around west facing breaks. South facing breaks will see some wrap from the NW along with the south swell producing combined surf in the head high range, 1-3 feet overhead at times.
Please note that the swell combo in the water today has heavy consistency to it, increasing the risk of strong riptides, especially during the outgoing tides. Alongshore currents are also a concern. The NWS has issued riptide warnings and a high surf advisory as well. Caution is strongly advised.
The tide is starting to become an issue as we enter into a tidal swing due to a New Moon due on Tuesday the 17th. This spring tide is bringing highs near…[more]
Water temperatures are averaging 58 degrees in San Diego, 58 in Orange County, 58 in LA, 57 in Ventura County, 55 in Santa Barbara, 54 along the Central Coast and 51 degrees in NCal.
Winds as of 7:00 this morning were trending onshore most everywhere. Although much calmer than yesterday evening, there were still some gusts to 18 around LA, and NW winds around 5-10 in many other places. WNW winds are expected to increase throughout the morning, reaching 20+ this afternoon. The weekend winds are looking to…[more]
More wind issues in the forecast…[more]
NW for 16th, but mostly wind swell…[more]
Tracking NW for 18th-19th, but conditions questionable…[more]
Tracking southern hemi combo for 22nd…[more]