Swell magnet surf forecast: Don’t put away those 4/3s
Chris Rodriquez throws down the gauntlet in the South Bay Boardriders Big Wave Contest earllier this year at the Redondo Breakwall. The surfer photographed riding the biggest South Bay wave by March 31 wins the contest. Photo (CivicCouch.com)
Those howling winds have sent us back to square one as far as ocean water temps are concerned. The South Bay has dropped to 60, after clawing up to as warm as 63 degrees. Malibu has plummeted to an ungodly 51 degrees and Newport did another one of it’s devastating dips, dropping from 67 degrees last week, to a literally, mind numbing 55 degrees on Monday. I have a bad feeling it might be a 4/3 summer again.
Thursday morning looks like a slightly smaller version of Wednesday with the South facing breaks the main attraction. The size and intervals of the Southerly energy will taper off a hair, but the most exposed spots in the OC and San O’ should continue to pull in overhead sets.
The NW wind swell will remain in the equation, but that will also take a little dip in size.
The conditions look a little better with light and variable breezes at 1-3 MPH at first light and then those will pick up into the 10-20 MPH range in the afternoon. The air temp will top out at 66 degrees.
Friday morning will once again be a bit smaller as the wind swell vanishes and the consistency of the sets out of the South tapers off. The best spots should still see some decent surf with chest to shoulder waves.
The conditions might be good early with the wind models calling for N/NE breezes at 8-10 MPH for the dawn patrol and then those will pick up to 12-15 MPH into the afternoon. The air temp will remain in the mid to high ‘60s.
For Saturday morning the song will remain the same as the South swell continues it’s slow fade. Not much wind swell in the picture today so waiting for the inconsistent, leftover sets looks like the only game in town. Top spots should see infrequent, waist to chest high waves.
The conditions should be okay with variable breezes out of the SE at 2-6 MPH for the early bird. Those will pick up to 9-11 MPH for the afternoon. The air temp will remain in the mid to high 60’s.
Sunday morning isn’t looking all too exciting, either, with just a smallish, background swell in the knee to waist high zone.
The conditions shouldn’t be too bad with variable breezes at 2-6 MPH at first light and then those will get up to 10-12 MPH into the afternoon. The air temp will hit 66 degrees and there’s a 30% chance of showers.
The current water temps are as follows: South Bay 60 degrees, Newport 55 degrees, Huntington 56 degrees, Santa Monica 56 degrees and Malibu 51 degrees.
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