Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 | We have a good amount of NW swell along the California coast. Weather and winds have affected some areas this morning though, and it looks like all regions will get wet by this evening. Swell-wise, NW will persist in varying degrees for a good part of the week. Some SW comes into the picture Friday and Saturday. Models today are pointing to a potentially potent NW swell Christmas Eve, and super long-range models show more prospective swells on the 27th and 29th.
Right now, the California Buoy is at 17 feet with 14-second periods. The San Francisco buoy is at 8 feet with 15-second periods, the Monterey buoy is at 10 feet with 14-second periods, the Cape San Martin buoy off the Central Coast is at 9 feet with 13-second periods, and the Pt. Conception buoy is at 11 feet with 13-second periods.
Overall, NW periods are averaging 14 seconds from 300 degrees.
In SoCal, the new NW swell is just starting to fill in, making its way southward throughout the day. As of this report, NW energy has made it as far south as Ventura County, should hit LA shortly, and then OC and SD by mid to late morning. As this swell fills in, most west facing breaks can expect at least head high surf with standouts going a few feet overhead. Some DOH set waves are not out of the question today at the well-exposed, standout west facing breaks. South facing spots will be running chest high, up to head high though at SW exposed spots.
Northern California and the Central Coast are seeing sets running DOH+ at west facing breaks, head high at south facing spots picking up the wrap, and overhead at SW exposed spots.
Since many areas have seen rain recently and everyone can expect precipitation sometime today, we are 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 not much of an issue right now, but we will see a radical tidal swing toward the end of the week from a Full Moon cresting Sunday shortly after sunset. This lunar event will raise early AM highs later this week near the 7-foot zone which…[more]
Water temps are averaging 58 degrees in San Diego, 58 in Orange County, 56 in LA, 58 in Ventura County, 54 in Santa Barbara, 54 along the Central Coast and 52 degrees in NCal…[more]
Winds at 7:00 this morning were light and variable in OC and SD, but points north were seeing southerly winds 6-12 mph. Onshores are expected to pick up throughout the day everywhere as another front bears down on the region. This front should…[more]
NW this week…[more]
Rain in the forecast…[more]
Radical tides by end of week…[more]
Small to moderate south swell end of week…[more]
Tracking potentially significant NW for 24th…[more]
Light SW also due Christmas Day…[more]
Tracking potentially potent NW swells for 27th and 29th…[more]