Thursday, May 24, 2007 | Today NW wind swell has backed off dramatically, leaving moderate southern hemi swell the main feature along the coast. The holiday weekend gets a slight bump in size from the SW, and we have more SW’ers on the charts for the 1st and 6th. We’re also keeping an eye on some possible tropical storm development that could bring south swell on the 1st.
Right now, the California Buoy is checking in at 4 feet with 7-second periods. Closer to the coast, the Half Moon Bay buoy is at 6 feet with 8-second periods and the Cape San Martin buoy is at 4 feet with 8-second periods.
While these northern buoys are showing the diminishing NW wind swell element along the coast, most SoCal near-shore buoys are also seeing SW energy with seas running 2.0-2.4 feet with 15-second periods.
Overall, NW periods are averaging 8-10 seconds from 285 degrees. Dominant southerly periods are running 15 seconds from 220, although some 16-17 second periods are still coming through from time to time.
In SoCal, wave heights are running waist to chest at most south facing breaks with standouts seeing some pluses shoulder high, but rare. West facing breaks are running knee to waist+.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing sets running waist to chest high most everywhere.
The tide is manageable but receding throughout the morning hours to near-zero lows around lunch time. Next tidal swing will be noticeable late next week as we approach a Full Moon on the 31st.
Water temperatures are averaging 61 degrees in San Diego, 61 in Orange County, 60 in LA, 58 in Ventura County, 57 in Santa Barbara, 54 along the Central Coast and 50 degrees in NCal.
Winds as of 6:00 this morning were light and variable most everywhere. Afternoon onshores are expected to reach 15 mph. The onshore flow is gaining strength, which will result in…[more]
Some SW for Memorial Day weekend…[more]
Bigger SW swell due Tuesday…[more]
Sizable SW due on the 1st-2nd…[more]
More SW being tracked for the 6th…[more]
New State of our Surf Report…[more]