Pacific Storm & Surf Forecast (Stormsurf)

Buoy 238 (Barbers Pt) (Out of Service - using Buoy 239 (Lani): Seas were 9.0 ft @ 11.8 secs with swell 5.7 ft @ 8.7 secs from 278 degrees. Water temp NA degs (Barbers Pt), 74.3 (Pearl Harbor 233), 76.1 (Lani 239).
Buoy 106 (Waimea): Out of Service Buoy 202 (Hanalei) Out of Service
Buoy 46025 (Catalina RDG): Seas were 2.8 ft @ 13.7 secs with swell 1.4 ft @ 13.3 secs from 225 degrees. Wind northwest at 6-8 kts. Water temperature 55.9 degs, 55.6 (Topanga 103), 55.0 degs (Long Beach 215), 56.3 (Oceanside Offshore 045), 55.9 (Del Mar 153), 57.0 (Torrey Pines Outer 100). At Harvest Buoy (071) primary swell was 7.6 ft @ 12.7 secs from 306 degrees. At E. Santa Barbara (46053) swell was 2.7 ft @ 12.3 secs from 263 degrees. At Santa Monica (028) swell was 1.4 ft @ 13.3 secs from 254 degrees. At Oceanside (045) swell was 1.8 ft @ 13.2 secs from 255 degrees. Southward at Pt Loma (191) swell was 3.3 ft @ 13.7 secs from 270 degrees. Water temperature was 56.1 degrees.
Buoy 46012 (Half Moon Bay) Out of Service /029 (Pt Reyes): Seas were 4.8 ft @ 14.3 secs with swell 1.6 ft @ 13.7 secs from 192 degrees. Wind southeast at 14-18 kts (46026). Water temp 49.8 (Bodega Bay 46013), 49.8 degs (Pt Reyes 029), 49.6 (San Francisco 46026), 50.2 (SF Bar 142), 51.6 (Pt Santa Cruz 254) and NA (Monterey Bay 46042).

PACIFIC OVERVIEW
Current Conditions
On Thursday (3/9) North and Central CA had sets at waist to maybe chest high and lined up and clean and soft. Protected breaks were flat and clean. At Santa Cruz surf was waist to maybe chest high and somewhat lined up but textured and soft. In Southern California/Ventura waves were thigh to waist high and somewhat lined up and mushed and a little warbled from northwest winds. Central Orange County had sets at waist to near chest high and clean with some texture on top and no wind and decent form but soft. South Orange County's best summertime breaks had sets occasionally waist high and pretty textured and mush but with decent lines on the sets. North San Diego had sets at waist high and clean but soft. Hawaii's North Shore had sets at 10-12 ft Hawaiian but a warbled mess with solid onshore winds. The South Shore was waist high and warbled and not rideable either. The East Shore was getting wrap around northwest swell with waves to head high and clean with moderate offshore/west winds.

See QuikCASTs for the 5 day surf overview or read below for the detailed view.

Meteorological Overview
On Thursday (3/9) Hawaii was getting swell from a gale that developed while falling southeast from the dateline Mon-Wed (3/8) producing up to 33 ft sea aimed right at the Islands. California was getting no swell of interest. Beyond there's hints of a small gale developing in the Gulf on Thurs (3/16) with seas to 34 ft aimed somewhat at the US West Coast. But short term a stream of Atmospheric River events remain on track for California starting Fri (3/10) fueled by a strong Active Phase of the MJO pushing east.

SHORT- TERM FORECAST
Current marine weather and wave analysis plus forecast conditions for the next 72 hours

Overview
Jetstream
On Thursday (3/9) the jetstream was consolidated pushing off Japan running east on the 27N latitude line with winds building in a pocket to 140 kts just north of Hawaii in the apex of a small trough there offering limited support for gale development then pushing northeast poised to impact California. Remnants of a backdoor trough were off Washington. Over the next 72 hours the backdoor trough is to move onshore over Washington on Fri (3/10) while the leading edge of the consolidated jet starts pushing onshore over North and Central CA and continues for the period. No troughs supportive of gale development are forecast. A weak split in the jet is forecast developing over China on Sat (3/11) stealing a little bit of energy from the consolidated portion of the jet and tracking up into the Bering Sea all inland offering nothing. Beyond 72 hours more of the same is forecast with the Bering Sea energy starting to fall southeast into the Gulf of Alaska on Tues (3/14) carving out a trough there while merging with the southern branch and starting to create a trough on Thurs (3/16) perhaps supportive of gale development there. And more importantly the jet is to be fully consolidated at the join point and pushing east towards California for perhaps another rounds of Atmospheric River events there. A pretty energetic pattern looks to be shaping up.

Surface Analysis
On Thursday (3/9) swell from a gale that developed on the dateline falling southeast towards Hawaii was hitting the Islands (see Hawaiian Gale below).

Hawaiian Gale
On Sun PM (3/5) a small gale developed just west of the dateline with 45 kt north winds and seas building from 23 ft at 36N 171E aimed southeast. On Mon AM (3/6) northwest winds were 45 kts on the dateline with seas 27 ft at 34.75N 176.5E aimed southeast. In the evening northwest winds were 45-50 kts aimed well at Hawaii with 31 ft seas building at 35.75N 177W aimed southeast at Hawaii. On Tues AM (3/7) northwest winds held position and strength at 45-50 kts with seas 32 ft at 36N 175.75W aimed southeast targeting Hawaii well. In the evening fetch fell southeast and faded from 40 kts over a solid sized area with seas 30 ft at 30.5N 172.75W aimed southeast. On Wed AM (3/8) fetch reconsolidated at 35 kts from the northwest within 400 nmiles of Hawaii with seas 28 ft at 27.25N 167.75. Fetch held in the evening at 30-35 kts from the northwest while sweeping just north of the Islands with seas 25 ft at 25.5N 161.75W aimed southeast and impacting Hawaii. On Thurs AM (3/9) fetch was easing east at 30+ kts from the northwest just north of Hawaii with seas 22 ft at 28.25N 154.5W aimed southeast. In the evening west fetch is to be lifting northeast well off the US West Coast at 30 kts with seas 21 ft at 29N 152.25W aimed east. On Fri AM (3/10) west winds to fade from 25-30 kts with seas fading from 19 ft at 30.25N 150.75W aimed east targeting the US West Coast. Something to monitor.

Oahu: Swell continues solid early on Thurs (3/9) but fading from 11.6 ft @ 15 secs (17.0 ft). Residuals on Fri (3/10) fading from 8.4 ft @ 13 secs (10.5 ft). Dribbles on Sat (3/11) fading from 5.9 ft @ 11 secs (6.5 ft). Residuals on Sun (3/12) fading from 4.3 ft @ 10-11 secs (4.0 ft). Swell Direction: 310 degrees moving to 330 degrees

North CA: Expect swell arrival on Sun (3/12) building to 3.8 ft @ 13 secs later (5.0 ft). Swell fading Mon (3/13) from 4.3 ft @ 12 secs (5.0 ft). Swell Direction: 250-260 degrees

Tropical Update
No tropical systems of interest are being monitored at this time.

Fri AM (3/10) west winds are forecast at 10-15 kts early Cape Mendocino and northwest 10 kts for the rest of North CA and southwest 20 kts for Central CA. In the afternoon northwest winds are forecast at 5 kts for North CA and northeast 5kts for the SF Bay area but southwest 15 kts from Big Sur southward. Heavy rain for all of North and Central CA early reaching south to LA County early and then to San Diego and holding at heavy status through the day before fading from north to south in the early evening. Heavy snow for higher elevations of the Sierra through the day fading some overnight.
Sat AM (3/11) a calm flow is forecast for North CA early and light southwesterly at 5 kts for Central CA. In the afternoon south to southwest winds building some to 10 kts for all of North and Central CA. Scattered light pockets of rain early for Central and South CA early. Rain redeveloping in the afternoon mainly for Pt Arena southward to Santa Cruz and holding overnight. Steady moderate snow for the Sierra through the day and evening.
Sun AM (3/12) south winds are forecast at 10 kts for all of North and Central CA early. In the afternoon low pressure start building off the coast again with south winds 20 kts for Cape Mendocino and 10 kts for the rest of North CA and southwest 5-10 kts for Central CA. Light rain for mostly North CA early clearing through the afternoon south of San Francisco. Modest snow for the Sierra fading some in the afternoon then rebuilding in the evening.
Mon AM (3/13) south winds are forecast at 15-20 kts north of Bodega Bay with low pressure building and approaching and south winds 15 kts for the rest of North CA and south 10 kts for Central CA. In the afternoon low pressure moves onshore with south winds 15 kts for North CA and south winds 10-15 kts down to Monterey and 5 kts on down to Pt Conception. Heavy rain developing for North CA in the late morning building to Morro Bay and holding through the evening. Snow developing for Tahoe late afternoon getting heavy in the evening.
Tues AM (3/14) southwest winds are forecast at 10-15 kts for North and Central CA early. In the afternoon north winds are forecast at 15 kts for North CA and northeast 10 kts for Central CA. Rain for all of North and Central CA early reaching south to Santa Barbara County mid AM and La County in the afternoon. Heavy snow for the Sierra around Tahoe and building southward then fading in the north in the evening.
Wed AM (3/15) north winds are forecast at 20+ kts for North CA and 15-20 kts for Central CA early. In the afternoon high pressure builds with northwest winds forecast at 20 kts for all of North and Central CA and northwest 15 kts for Southern CA. Rain for Central and Southern CA early fading in the late afternoon and evening. Modest snow for the Southern Sierra.
Thurs AM (3/16) northwest winds are forecast at 10 kts for North CA and 10-15 kts for Central CA early. In the afternoon northwest winds are forecast at 5-10 kts for North CA and 15 kts for Central CA south of Big Sur. No precip forecast.

Total snow accumulation for the next 10 days respectively for Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, Kirkwood and Mammoth are projected at 153, 150, 125, and 141 inches with steady accumulation through 3/14. Steady accumulation every 6 hr period through that window.

Freezing level for Lake Tahoe rising to 8,300 ft late on 3/9 falling to 6,800 ft on 3/10 and down to 5,550 ft at time through 3/12 before rising again to 7,000 ft on 3/13 and up to 8,200 ft on 3/16 and holding.

Tioga Pass/Pacific Crest Trail intersection forecast: Temps - Freeze Level
More locations here (scroll down to 'Resort Snow Forecasts>Central CA or North CA Caltrans & Backcountry')

Overview
Surface Analysis
No swell producing fetch has occurred with no swell in the water or radiating towards the coast.

LONG-TERM FORECAST
Marine weather and forecast conditions 3-10 days into the future

Beyond 72 hours perhaps a gale is to develop in the Eastern Gulf on Wed PM (3/15) producing 45 kt west winds with seas building. On Thurs AM (3/16) the gael is to be lifting northeast fast with 45 kt west winds and seas 34 ft at 43.25N 143W aimed east off Oregon. In the evening the gale is to be well off British Columbia with 40-45 kts west winds and seas 26-30 ft at 47N 143W aimed east. Something to monitor.

La Nina Gone - El Nino Developing
Kelvin Wave #2 in Flight - Active MJO #3 Strong - Sea Surface Temps Rising Fast
1 Kelvin Wave traversed the Pacific in Dec '22 with Kelvin Wave #2 in-flight and Kevin Wave #3 developing now. And Westerly Winds are fully established filling the KWGA and forecast filling the Pacific over the next month. And Sea Surface Temperatures are warming to neutral. The last link in the chain is to see the SOI falling (which it is showing preliminary signs of doing). The outlook is turning optimistic.

MJO/ENSO Discussion
The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a periodic weather cycle that tracks east along the equator circumnavigating the globe. It is characterized in it's Inactive Phase by enhanced trade winds and dry weather over the part of the equator it is in control of, and in it's Active Phase by slackening if not an outright reversing trade winds while enhancing precipitation. The oscillation occurs in roughly 20-30 day cycles (Inactive for 20-30 days, then Active for 20-30 days) over any single location on the planet, though most noticeable in the Pacific. During the Active Phase in the Pacific the MJO tends to support the formation of stronger and longer lasting gales resulting in enhanced potential for the formation of swell producing storms. Prolonged and consecutive Active MJO Phases in the Pacific help support the formation of El Nino. During the Inactive Phase the jet stream tends to split resulting in high pressure and less potential for swell producing storm development. Wind anomalies in the Kelvin Wave Generation Area (KWGA) are key for understanding what Phase the MJO is in over the Pacific. The KWGA is located on the equator from 135E-170W and 5 degs north and south (or on the equator from New Guinea east to the dateline). West wind anomalies in the KWGA suggest the Active Phase of the MJO in the Pacific, and east anomalies suggests the Inactive Phase. In turn the Active Phase strengthens and the Inactive Phase weakens the jetstream, which in turn enhances or dampens storm production respectively in the Pacific.And the El Nino/La Nino cycle (collectively know as ENSO - El Nino Southern Oscillation) is a less frequent (about once every 7 years) but more impactful cycle that affects world wide weather. Specifically, strong El Nino events promote storm production in the Pacific while La Nina events suppress storm production. These therefore have a significant impact on the production of swell and surf. The paragraphs below analyze the state of the MJO and ENSO in the Pacific and provide forecasts for upcoming activity (or inactivity depending on the state and interaction of these two oscillations).

Overview: In 2019 warm equatorial waters were fading, and by August a tongue of cool water was tracking west on the equator from Ecuador over the Galapagos reaching to a point nearly south of Hawaii. A bit of a recovery tried to occur during Fall of 2019, with weak warm water building in the Nino 1.2 region, but cool water held in a pool off Peru. By April 2020 a cool pool was starting to build, forming a well defined cool tongue that evolved into La Nina, with it fully developing through July 2020. A slow dissolving of La Nina started in March 2021 with 2 Kelvin Waves sweeping east and arriving over the Galapagos in June. Weak warming set up over the equator with no cool waters present. NOAA declared La Nina dead. But cold water returned in July 2021 and a second pulse of La Nina developed through the Winter of 2022 and is continuing today, though possibly weaker with its foundation appearing to be in decline.

Rationale: It was assumed that the moderate La Nina from the Winter of 2020/2021 was on the wane and that a return to neutral ENSO state would set up over the Pacific Basin through the summer of 2021. But La Nina made a strong return by the end of Sept much like what the CFS model suggested would happen and a full double dip pattern took hold through the Winter of 21/22. But a quick fade is forecast as we move into late December 2022 with the CFS predicting a return to a neutral wind anomaly pattern and the low pressure bias making headway in to the KWGA in early Jan. Still it will take some time for the atmosphere to fully respond, resulting in a less than normal swell production forecast especially for Fall into early Winter 2022. But by later in Jan or early Feb 2023 a return to a more normal pattern might take hold. As a result a significantly reduced number of storm days and storm intensity is expected Oct 22-Jan 23, resulting in a below normal level of swells, with swell being below normal duration and period. But by Feb 2023, the number of storm days, intensity and duration of those storms should start improving as La Nina fades out. The net result is we're currently thinking a near normal number of swells with normal size and duration is to result, but all focused sometime after Jan 2023. The swell pattern will be below normal before Jan and above normal after Jan 23 with the average of the two being 'normal'. Of course this is all highly speculative at this early date.

KWGA/Equatorial Surface Wind Analysis (KWGA - Kelvin Wave Generation Area - The area 5 degrees north and south of the equator from 170W to 135E)
Analysis (TAO Buoys): As of (3/8) 5 day average winds were moderate from the east over the East equatorial Pacific and strong east over the Central Pacific and moderate east over the KWGA. Anomalies were neutral over the East equatorial Pacific and neutral over the Central Pacific and neutral over the KWGA. (Note: These are 5 day average winds, versus realtime, so they lag what is happening today (by about 2.5 days).
1 Week Forecast (GFS Model): (3/9) Modest west anomalies filled the KWGA today. The 7 day forecast has weak to modest west anomalies holding over the KWGA through 3/12 then fading and turning weak easterly and holding through the end of the model run on 3/16. Strong west anomalies were today south of California and are to hold through the end of the model run. Haven't seen this in years. Its about time.

MJO/WWB/Wind Projections:
OLR Models: (3/8) A moderate to strong Active MJO signal was indicated over the KWGA today. The statistical model indicates the Active MJO signal slowly easing east to the dateline on day 5 of the model run with a strong Inactive Phase developing over the Maritime Continent and easing east into the KWGA and filling it on day 10 and 15 of the model run. The dynamic model indicates the same thing but with the Inactive Phase fading some on day 15.
Phase Diagrams 2 week forecast (CA and GEFS): (3/7) The statistical model depicts the Active signal was strong over the East Pacific and is to move east to the Indian Ocean 15 days out and moderate. The dynamic model indicates the same thing but the Active Phase fading to weak status 15 days out.
40 day Upper Level Model (assumed to be a statistical mode and 1 week ahead of what is occurring at the surface): (3/9) A moderate Active signal (wet air) was filling the East equatorial Pacific today with the Inactive Phase building over the West Pacific. The forecast has the Active signal (wet air) pushing into Ecuador on 3/14. The moderate to strong Inactive signal (dry air) is to continue traversing the KWGA through 3/19 then to Ecuador on 4/8. A moderate Active Phase of the MJO (wet air) is to start moving over the KWGA 4/3 and filling the bulk of the Pacific at the end of the model run on 4/18.
4 Week CFS Model (850 mb wind): (3/6) A solid Active Phase of the MJO was in control of the dateline today with moderate plus west anomalies filling the KWGA. The Active Phase of the MJO is to continue traversing the KWGA through 3/14 with solid west anomalies filling the KWGA. And even after that it is to track intact south of California 3/6-3/20 with solid to strong west anomalies in control before tracking into Ecuador on 3/13- 3/21. This is to be an impressive Active Phase. After that a weak Inactive MJO signal is forecast to push into the KWGA 3/18-3/27 but dissolving before making it to the dateline with weak east anomalies filling the KWGA 3/18 through the end of the model run on 4/3. La Nina is dead.
3 Month CFS Model (850 mb wind): (3/9) - using the 5th ensemble member - the mean of the 4 individual members which are all from the 00Z run - 1 run per day):
Today the Active Phase of the MJO was filling the KWGA with west anomalies strong on the dateline and in control of the entire KWGA. The Active Phase of the MJO is to track east over the entirety of the KWGA through 3/22 with west anomalies filling the KWGA. West anomalies and the Active Phase started push east and south of California 3/2 and are to continue through 3/24. After that the Inactive Phase of the MJO is to move over the KWGA starting 3/10, building some on 3/14 and holding to 4/8 but with neutral to weak west anomalies continuing over the KWGA and rebuilding to moderate strength filling the KWGA 4/16 through the end of the model run on 6/6. The shift to El Nino started on 2/15. The low pass filter indicates a high pressure bias with 1 contour line centered at 170W with its western perimeter at 170E today and moving east fast. The high pressure bias started moving east on 2/15. The primary contour is to move east of the KWGA by 3/18. A broad double contour low pressure bias is established centered over the West Maritime Continent at 120E with it's leading edge creeping east to 148E today (it started pushing east on 2/15). A hard push east is forecast starting 3/12 and on the dateline 4/16 filling the KWGA and then filling the most of the Pacific at the end of the model run. This is all a big deal and is being repeated in some form consistently from one run of the model to the next since Oct 2022. It appears that the high pressure lockdown of the KWGA is over with no return in sight. Finally!

Subsurface Waters Temps
TAO Array: (3/9) Today in the far West Pacific the 29 degree isotherm was present at 160E. The 28 deg isotherm line was easing east from 170E but was now at 177E. The 26 degree isotherm has now pushed the whole way across the Pacific and building in the east to 27 degs. This is a big deal and the first time this has happened in years. The 24 deg isotherm was pushing east into Ecuador and building in thickness. Anomaly wise, warm anomalies at +4 deg C were in a broad pocket with the leading edge at 152W and recharging no longer connected to warm water from a previous Kelvin Wave #1 off Ecuador. A pocket of negative anomalies at -2 deg C were at 138W down 125m. The hi-res GODAS animation posted 3/4 indicates a huge very warm ball of 5+ degs anomalies stretching from the far West Pacific and reaching east upwards to 110W - Kelvin Wave #2 in flight. Remnants of a previous Kelvin Wave were lingering in a pocket lifting upwards towards the surface in the far East equatorial Pacific. A cool pocket was centered at 82W down 15m (the upwelling phase of the Kelvin Wave #1 cycle) and was lifting towards the surface while weakening and discharging. The cool upwelling event that has been in play since July has been undercut and is all but gone. The GODAS animation appears to be 1 week behind the TAO data but also is more detailed and accurately modeled.
Sea Level Anomalies: (3/4) Sea heights were very positive from the far West equatorial Pacific to 160W and +0-5 cms over the remainder of the Equatorial Pacific reaching east to Ecuador with pockets of +5 cms anomalies at 115W and 90W. This means no cool water was at depth. Per the Upper Ocean Heat Anomaly Histogram cool anomalies have retreated to the far East Equatorial Pacific limited to between 90W and Ecuador (80W). Warm waters continue building in intensity and coverage in the West at the same time reaching east to 115W. Kelvin Wave #2 is pushing east and the core of the warm pool at 140E is holding at +2.25 degs.

Surface Water Temps
The more warm water in the equatorial East Pacific means more storm production in the North Pacific during winter months (roughly speaking). Cold water in that area has a dampening effect. Regardless of what the atmospheric models and surface winds suggest, actual water temperatures are a ground-truth indicator of what is occurring in the ocean. All data is from blended infrared and microwave sensors.
Satellite Imagery
Hi-res Nino1.2 & 3.4 Qualitative Analysis: (3/8) The latest images depict building warm waters extending well west along the equator from Ecuador solidly to 140W (results of Kelvin Wave #1). And warmer than normal temps were present along the coasts of Chile and Peru and over the entirety of the deep South Pacific. A broad generic pool of barely cool water was collapsing extending west from 115W well off Peru to the dateline mainly south of the equator in the East and reaching south to 15S near Tahiti (but retreating north) then centered on the equator in the west and losing coverage and intensity daily over its entire region. The cool pool is in a state of rapid collapse and should be gone in a week or so.
Hi-res 7 day Trend (3/8): A massive and building pool of warming water was locked well off the coasts of Peru and Chile and far stronger from Ecuador west over the equatorial Pacific to the dateline reaching north to 30N and south to 30S near 140W. This pool is at impressive status today. A warming trend is well entrenched over the East Pacific since Nov 1 with no cooling waters over the equatorial East Pacific since 12/15.
Hi-res Overview: (3/8) Warming waters are filling the East Pacific off Chile, Peru and Ecuador. Cool waters were on the equator from about 140W to 160E and collapsing rapidly and almost indiscernible. There no legitimate sign of La Nina on the oceans surface anymore. The east equatorial Pacific is finally and steadily warming.
Nino1.2 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (3/9) (These temps are biased high by about 0.2 degs compared to official sources). Today's temps were falling slightly +0.452 degs today but were up to +1.076 on 2/19 and otherwise were steady at +0.848 since 2/7. Longterm they have been steadily rising since 11/13 when they were around -1.5 degs C.
Nino 3.4 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (3/9) (These temps are biased high by about 0.2 degs). Temps were rising to -0.173 today. Temps had previously risen to -0.402 on 2/23. Temps rose above the La Nina threshold (-0.5 degs) on 2/22 and had been rising slowly since 2/12 when they were about -1.0 degs C. Then had been in the -1.0 deg range since at least Nov 2022.

CFSV2 Forecast for Nino3.4 Sea Surface Temp (SST) Anomalies & Current SST Anomalies

SST Anomaly Projections
CFSv2 Data
Previous - Temps rose in early Nov 2020 after bottoming out at -1.25 degs, up to -0.01 degs in mid-June 2021 then fading to -1.05 degs in mid-Nov then rebuilding to -0.7 in mid Feb 2022 then fading to -1.1 degs in May before starting an upward climb peaking in mid-June at -0.65 degs and mid July at -0.55 degs. A steady decline set in after that falling to -1.00 degs in Aug and Sept rising to -0.8 degs mid Oct then falling to -1.0 in Nov but then slowly rising to -0.75 degs in Jan 2023 and up to -0.5 degs above the La Nina threshold on 2/12.
Forecast (3/9) - Temps are to move to neutral (0.0 degs) mid-March and up to +0.80 degs in July and +1.35 degs in Oct and solidly into El Nino territory. The PDF Corrected forecast suggests temps are to hit neutral (0.0 degs) mid-March and rising to +0.70 degs in July and +1.05 degs in Oct. According to this version of the model we are building into ENSO neutral in Spring and into El Nino in Summer.
IRI Consensus Plume: The Feb 19, 2023 Plume depicts temps are -0.228 degs today and above the La nina threshold. Temps to rise steadily from here forward to -0.018 degs in March rising to +0.758 in July and +0.759 in Sept. This is consistent with the previous run. This model suggests a transition to ENSO neutral if not weak El Nino. This model is in line with the CFS model.
See chart here - link.

Atmospheric Coupling (Indicating the presence of El Nino in the atmosphere driven by the ocean):
Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) (negative is good, positive bad - all but the Daily Index was a lagging indicator):
Today (3/9) the Daily Index was falling at +5.93 and has been hovering near 0 the last 7 days. It fell to -17.44 on 2/22, the beginning of a change from which no return seems likely. It was up to +21.85 on 2/10 and +55.74 on 12/22 and were in the +20 range the previous 22 days.
The 30 day average was falling to +7.77 (lagging indicator driven by the Inactive Phase of the MJO) after falling to +4.18 on 11/27 and peaking at +21.57 (10/16) after supposedly peaking at +19.66 on 9/28. It was down to +6.89 on 7/29. It peaked at +20.34 (5/12) the highest in a year and beating last years high of +19.51 (1/14).
The 90 day average was falling at +12.73 after peaking at +14.63 on 2/20, +15.61 on 10/25 and +12.92 on 8/11 and that after peaking at +18.40 (7/2) beating it's previous peak of +16.86 (5/31), the highest in a year. It previously peaked at +9.80 (9/21) after falling to it's lowest point in a year at +1.06 (6/9). The 90 day average peaked at +15.75 (2/23/21 - clearly indicative of La Nina then). This index is a lagging indicator but suggests that the Active Phase occurring now is starting to drive the index down, hopefully with no upward trend in sight for at least a year.

Pacific Decadal Oscillation
The PDO theoretically turned from a 16 year negative run (Jan 98-Feb 2014) in early 2014 and was positive till Dec 2019, but has been negative ever since, driven by recent La Nina conditions. In May-July 2021 it was the most negative its been in the -1.80 to -2.04 range since Sept 2012 (-2.99) and then fell to -3.16 in Oct 2021 (the lowest since July 1933) then settled at -2.72 in Nov and Dec 2021. Looking at the long term record, it seems likely we are still in the Cool Phase of the PDO (La Nina 'like') with no signs of moving to the positive/warm phase (El Nino 'like').

Local Interest
Stormsurf Video Surf Forecast for this week. See it Here
For automatic notification of forecast updates, subscribe to the Stormsurf001 YouTube channel - just click the 'Subscribe' button below the video.

Time Zone Converter By popular demand we've built and easy to use time convert that transposes GMT time to whatever time zone you are located. It's ion left hand column on every page on the site near the link to the swell calculator.