The Morning Report
Get the news and information you need to take on the day.
Thursday, April 19, 2007 | Today we have a fair amount of NW wind swell and building NW ground swell along the coast with relatively fair, springtime weather, a seasonal wind pattern, but a shutdown, negative-low AM tide. Weather is bearing down on the region for Friday, and more rain could hit late in the weekend. When the skies clear next week, some NW ground swell will mix with some southern hemi stuff coming our way.
Right now, the California Buoy is checking in at 6 feet with 14-second periods. Closer to the coast, the Half Moon Bay buoy is at 11 feet with 14-second periods, and the Cape San Martin buoy is at 9 feet with 15-second periods.
SoCal buoys just started seeing this 14-second ground swell in the past couple hours with mostly NW wind swell coming in from 11-seconds. The ground swell portion of the swell though will increase throughout the morning, becoming more noticeable as the tide ascends from its extreme negative low.
Overall, the predominant swell energy in the water shows NW periods averaging 14 seconds from 290-300 degrees, wind swell from 280 with 11-second periods, and light SW from 180 with 14-second periods.
In SoCal, wave heights early this morning were running waist to chest high around west facing breaks, but by mid morning head high sets are expected, possibly running overhead at standouts later this morning. South facing breaks are running waist high+, but will also increase later as the NW fills in to provide some diffraction action.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing sets running a few feet overhead around west facing breaks, chest high+ at south facing spots.
Although skies are friendly now, with rain on the way we will be 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 now through the weekend as we deal with a tidal swing from a New Moon that peaked a couple days ago. This spring tide is bringing negative lows to AM sessions, shutting down…[more]
Water temperatures are averaging 57 degrees in San Diego, 56 in Orange County, 54 in LA, 56 in Ventura County, 54 in Santa Barbara, 51 along the Central Coast and 50 degrees in NCal.
Winds as of 6:00 this morning were light and variable most everywhere. Northerly winds could pick up to 10 mph mid morning in many areas, then afternoon onshores are expected around 15 mph, possibly 20 mph or greater this evening. On Friday…[more]
Rain on the way…[more]
Weather clears next week when NW and SW roll in…[more]
Tracking good-sized NW’er for second half of next week…[more]