Pacific Storm & Surf Forecast (Stormsurf)

Buoy 238 (Barbers Pt)/Buoy 239 (Lani): Seas were 3.2 ft @ 15.4 secs with swell 1.6 ft @ 15.7 secs from 187 degrees. Water temp 81.1 degs (Barbers Pt), 80.2 (Pearl Harbor 233), 80.8 (Lani 239).
Buoy 106 (Waimea)/Buoy 202 (Hanalei): Seas were 3.2 ft @ 5.3 secs with swell 2.1 ft @ 5.9 secs from 46 degrees. Water temp 80.6 degs
Buoy 46025 (Catalina RDG): Seas were 3.5 ft @ 10.0 secs with swell 2.5 ft @ 10.1 secs from 157 degrees. Wind south at 4-6 kts. Water temperature 67.6 degs, 70.7 (Topanga 103), 66.7 degs (Long Beach 215), 73.2 (Oceanside Offshore 045), 70.5 (Del Mar 153), 73.4 (Torrey Pines Outer 100). At Harvest Buoy (071) primary swell was 4.5 ft @ 8.2 secs from 270 degrees. At E. Santa Barbara (46053) swell was 2.8 ft @ 6.5 secs from 274 degrees. At Santa Monica (028) swell was 2.5 ft @ 9.9 secs from 186 degrees. At Oceanside (045) swell was 2.8 ft @ 10.0 secs from 189 degrees. Southward at Pt Loma (191) swell was 3.0 ft @ 9.9 secs from 179 degrees. Water temperature was 68.7 degrees (Imperial Beach).
Buoy 46012 (Half Moon Bay) Out of Service /029 (Pt Reyes): Seas were 5.2 ft @ 11.8 secs with swell 2.6 ft @ 11.3 secs from 171 degrees. Wind northwest at 12-16 kts (46026). Water temp NA (Bodega Bay 46013), 57.7 degs (Pt Reyes 029), 58.6 (San Francisco 46026), 60.6 (SF Bar 142) and 61.3 (Monterey Bay 46042).

PACIFIC OVERVIEW
Current Conditions
On Monday (9/11) North and Central CA waves were thigh to waist high and weakly lined up coming from the northwest and warbled and mushed. Protected breaks were thigh high and mushed and soft but clean. At Santa Cruz surf was mostly flat and clean with light fog early. In Southern California/Ventura waves were thigh to maybe waist high and weakly lined up and soft and warbled but with clean surface conditions. Central Orange County had sets at chest head high and lined up and clean with decent form but really warbled and uneven. South Orange County's best summertime breaks had sets at chest to head high and lined up with decent form and clean but soft and mushed. North San Diego had sets at waist to near chest high and lined up and clean but very uneven and acting like it's warbled but it wasn't. Oahu's North Shore was flat and clean. The South Shore had sets at waist to maybe almost chest high and lined up and clean with good form when it came. The East Shore was getting east windswell at near waist high and chopped from moderate east trades.

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

Meteorological Overview
On Monday (9/11) remnant swell from Hurricane Jova was fading in California. Otherwise no swell of interest was hitting California or Hawaii. A gale developed in the Central and Southeast Pacific Tues-Wed (9/6) producing up to 34 ft seas aimed north. Swell is radiating north now expected to arrive in CA on Wed (9/13). Otherwise no swell producing weather systems of interest are forecast either north or south.

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

Overview
Surface Analysis
On Monday (9/11) no swell of interest was in the water.

Tropical Update
No tropical systems of interest were being tracked or forecast.

Tues AM (9/12) northwest winds to be 15-20 kts for North Central CA early. In the afternoon northwest winds to be holding at mostly 20 kts for North and Central CA. Windswell building slightly.
Wed AM (9/13) northwest winds to be 20 kts early for North CA and 15-20 kts for Central CA. In the afternoon northwest winds to be 20 kts for North Ca and 10-15 kts for Central CA. Windswell holding.
Thurs AM (9/14) northwest winds to be 20+ kts limited to Cape Mendocino with northwest winds to be 10 kts for the rest of North and Central CA early. In the afternoon northwest winds to be 10 kts for North and Central CA. Windswell fading.
Fri AM (9/15) northwest winds to be 10 kts for North and Central CA early. In the afternoon no change is forecast. No windswell of interest forecast.
Sat (9/16) northwest winds are forecast at 10 kts for North and Central CA early. In the afternoon northwest winds to be 15 kts for Cape Mendocino and 10 kts south of there down into Central CA. No windswell forecast.
Sun (9/17) northwest winds to build to 20+ kts for Cape Mendocino early and 10 kts south of there to Pt Conception. No change in the afternoon. Limited windswell trying to build.
Mon (9/18) northwest winds to be 20 kts for Cape Mendocino and south 5 kts for the rest of North and Central CA. No change in the afternoon. Limited windswell developing.

Temperatures for the Pacific Crest Trail and Tioga Pass Road intersection (8,700 ft): 50-60 degrees through Sun 9/17 then falling to 40 degs and no warmer beyond.

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
Jetstream
On Monday (9/11) the jet was split over the South Pacific with most energy now in the northern branch tracking east on the 25S latitude line then merging with the influential southern branch at 120W pushing into Chile. The southern branch was forming a trough under New Zealand being fed by 120 kts southwest winds offering some support for gale development before it then eventually merged with the Northern branch over the far Southeast Pacific. Over the next 72 hours that trough is to steadily ease east while losing energy and offering no support for gale development by later Wed (9/13). Beyond 72 hours a rather confused jetstream pattern is forecast under New Zealand offering moments of hope then quickly dissipating while a ridging pattern takes hold over the Southeast Pacific offering no support for gale development. But on Mon (9/18) the northern branch is to get very weak and the southern branch is to build some with it moving due east on the 40S latitude line and winds to 130 kts tracking east off New Zealand perhaps offering some hope beyond.

Surface Analysis
On Monday (9/11) swell from a gale that developed over the Central South Pacific is radiating northeast towards California (see Central South Pacific Gale below).

Over the next 72 hours a low pressure system is to be tracking east under New Zealand starting Mon AM (9/11) with 30-35 kts west winds but seas 24 ft or less into early Wed (9/13) offering no real support for swell production.

Central South Pacific Gale
A gale developed over the Central South Pacific on Tues AM (9/5) producing 40-45 kts south winds and seas building from 28 ft at 51S 142W aimed north. In the evening south to southwest winds built slightly in coverage at 40-45 kts with seas to 31 ft at 47.25S 135.75W aimed northeast. On Wed AM (9/6) 35 kt south winds moved over the far Southeast Pacific with seas 34 ft at 45.25S 128W aimed northeast. In the evening fetch was fading from 35-40 kts lifting northeast with seas 29 ft at 43.75S 120.5W aimed northeast. On Thurs AM (9/7) fetch is to be fading from 30 kts from the south with seas 28 ft at 43S 120W aimed northeast. The gale to dissipate from there. Something to monitor.

Southern CA: Expect swell arrival on Tues (9/12) building to 1.5 ft @ 18-19 secs later (2.5 ft). Swell building on Wed (8/13) to 2.2 ft @ 16-17 secs later (3.5 ft). Swell peaking on Thurs (8/14) at 2.5 ft @ 15-16 secs (3.5-4.0 ft). Swell fading on Fri (8/15) from 2.4 ft @ 14-15 secs early (3.0-3.5 ft). Swell fading on Sat (8/16) from 2.0 ft @ 13-14 secs early (2.5 ft). Dribbles on Sun (8/17) from 1.9 ft @ 12-13 secs (2.0-2.5 ft). Swell Direction: 192-196 degrees

North CA: Expect swell arrival on Wed (9/13) building to 2.0 ft @ 17 secs later (3.0 ft). Swell peaking on Thurs (8/14) at 2.4 ft @ 15-16 secs (3.5 ft). Swell fading on Fri (8/15) from 2.3 ft @ 14-15 secs early (3.5 ft). Swell fading on Sat (8/16) from 2.2 ft @ 13-14 secs early (2.5-3.0 ft). Dribbles on Sun (8/17) from 1.7 ft @ 12-13 secs (2.0 ft). Swell Direction: 191-194 degrees

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

Beyond 72 hours starting Sat (9/16) a gale is forecast developing in the deep Central South Pacific producing 45 kt west winds and seas building to 30 ft at 59S 149W in the evening aimed east. On Sun AM (9/17) 35 kt west winds to continue tracking east with seas 32 ft at 59S 130W aimed east. This systems is to be east of the Southern CA swell window in the evening. Low odds of sideband swell radiating north. Something to monitor.

And perhaps another system is to push under New Zealand starting Sun AM (9/17) with 35-40 kts west winds and seas 32 ft at 51.7S 161.25E aimed east. Fetch is to be fading in the evening with seas 27 ft at 52S 170E aimed east. This system is to be fading from there. Since it's 168 hours out on the model, odds of it developing are very low.

El Nino Getting A Better Toehold
Kelvin Waves #3, #4 and #5 Erupting - NINO3.4 SSTs well in El Nino Territory and Slowly Rising
1 Kelvin Wave traversed the Pacific in Dec '22 with a 2nd in Jan-Feb and a 3rd and 4th in March-April and a 5th in May. But after the last Active MJO in mid-to-late May, the MJO stalled. Finally restarting in later July thanks so a renewed push of the Active Phase of the MJO. Sea Surface Temperatures in the east are very warm and holding, and slightly expanding. The atmosphere is starting to show building signs of being coupled with the ocean. Fortunately, another Kelvin Wave has developed and is pushing east and will help push the atmosphere towards El Nino. The atmospheric signal is finally starting to build (SOI, OLR. ocean current, and wind anomalies).

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. That pattern continued until late Fall 2022 when trades started fading and by early 2023 multiple Kelvin Waves were in flight with significant warming developing over the East Equatorial Pacific. La Nina was dead on 3/18/2023 with El Nino apparently developing. But it was not coupled with the atmosphere as of 7/20/2023.

Rationale: A 3 year La Nina started fading in Jan 2023 and was gone by April. 3 Active MJO's produced 3 Kelvin Waves with the 3rd in that series poised to start erupting off Ecuador now (May 2023). The CFS model is predicting steady west anomalies from here forward and the leading edge of the low pressure bias on the dateline and forecast to nearly fill the Pacific during June. We are in a state of transition from ENSO neutral to El Nino during the summer of 2023. As a result we will be moving from a period of reduced number of storm days and storm intensity during the early part of Summer towards a period of enhanced storm production starting Late July and beyond, getting fairly intense come Fall. This should result in a slightly below normal level of swells, with swells being below normal duration and period over early Summer. But by late July 2023, the number of storm days, intensity and duration of those storms should start improving as El Nino starts getting a solid footprint on the atmosphere. 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 late July 2023. The swell pattern will be normal to somewhat below normal before July and above normal after July 23. And By Sept, the El Nino footprint should be solid. Of course this is all highly speculative at this early and based mostly on the CFS model and it's projection of a building ENSO footprint getting solid by Sept.

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 (9/10) 5 day average winds were strong from the east over the East equatorial Pacific and strong east over the Central Pacific and moderate east over the KWGA. Anomalies were modest east 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).
2 Week Forecast (GFS Model): (9/11) Moderate east anomalies were filling the West KWGA with light west anomalies over the East KWGA today. The forecast indicates a continuation of the same pattern through 9/21 with light west anomalies taking over the entire KWGA after that through the end of the model run on 9/27. The GEFS depicts west anomalies in play today and holding through 9/16-17, then fading with east anomalies taking over. The ECMWF shows west anomalies holding into 9/19, then fading. So it looks like this window of east anomalies might not be as strong or last as long as previously expected.

MJO/WWB/Wind Projections:
OLR Models: (9/10) A neutral MJO was over the KWGA. The statistic model indicates a neutral MJO holding for the next 15 days. The dynamic model depicts a neutral pattern holding through day 5 of the model run then turning weakly Inactive on days 10 and 15.
Phase Diagrams - 2 week forecast (CA and GEFS): (9/11) The statistical model depicts the Active signal was weak over the West Maritime Continent and is to track east to the Central Maritime Continent and crashing into very weak status 15 days out. The dynamic model indicates the same thing.
40 day Upper Level Model (assumed to be a statistical mode and 1 week ahead of what is occurring at the surface): (9/11) A moderate Active (wet) pattern was filling the West Pacific today. The forecast has the Active Phase (wet air) tracking slowly east over the KWGA through 9/21 then over the East equatorial Pacific. A moderate Inactive signal (dry air) is to start moving over the KWGA 10/1 building while filling the KWGA through the last day of the model run on 10/21. At that time the Inactive Phase is to slide east as a weak Active Phase starts building over the far West KWGA.
4 Week CFS Model (850 mb wind): (9/10) Today a neutral MJO was over the KWGA with the negative phase of an Equatorial Rossby Wave producing east anomalies over West KWGA with west anomalies east of there. The Rossby wave is to dissipate with east anomalies fading out on 9/15 while west anomalies start building on the dateline on 9/12 backfilling to the west and filling most of the KWGA 9/15-9/18. Neutral to weak east anomalies are to then backfill into the KWGA 9/19-9/24. But after that moderate west anomalies are to fill the KWGA if not the entire equatorial Pacific beyond through the end of the model run on 10/8.
3 Month CFS Model (850 mb wind): (9/11) - 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 Inactive Phase was peaking weakly over the KWGA with east anomalies at modest strength limited to the West KWGA with weak west anomalies over the East KWGA. The Inactive Phase is to peak start fading beyond and gone by 9/25 but with west anomalies taking control over the KWGA by 9/19. A first pulse of the Active Phase of the MJO is forecast moving into the KWGA 9/20 with west anomalies building steadily. The core of the Active Phase of the MJO is to be over the KWGA 10/13-11/7 with west anomalies at strong status throughout. A weak Inactive Phase is forecast beyond starting 10/26 through the end of the model run on 12/9 but with west anomalies holding at moderate status. Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) suggests cloud activity took over the KWGA on 6/24 but was fading if not nearly gone on 9/9. But it is forecast building strongly on 9/10-9/18, and more modestly beyond. Clear skies started building over the Maritime Continent 7/16 and are forecast building from here forward. The low pass filter indicates a broad low pressure bias is established over the KWGA centered at 180W with 3 contour lines (starting 7/14) and it's leading edge well east of the dateline at 127W today (it started pushing east on 2/15). The primarily contours leading edge is to slowly ease east to 118W (over the California coast) at the end of the model run with it's center holding on the dateline and a 4th contour line developing Nov 6. The high pressure bias was south of the mid-west US at 100W and is to dissipate on 9/23. 7/18 was the start of a major positive change in the development of El Nino with a advent of the Active Phase of the MJO and west anomalies and that momentum is growing strong each passing day. It appears a strong El Nino is developing.

Subsurface Waters Temps
TAO Array: (9/11) Today in the far West Pacific the leading edge of the 30 deg isotherm was easing east at 169W (previously 170W). The 29 degree isotherm was pushing east at 155W (previously 160W). The 28 deg isotherm line was easing east to 137W (previously 141W). The 24 degree isotherm extended the whole way across the Pacific but was getting shallower at 31m (previously 25m but at one point down to 65m) in the far East. Anomaly wise, warm anomalies at +2 deg C started in the far West Pacific at 177E associated with newly developing Kelvin Wave #6 centered at 170W pushing east in a continuous stream feeding into a broad pocket of +3-5 degs anomalies over the East Pacific starting at 152W (145W on 7/20). +4-5 degree anomalies were building in coverage starting at 145W (previously 141W). The warm pool in the east is discharging to the surface but also being backfilled at the same time by new Kelvin Wave #6. There's now about 3+ months of warm water backed up off the Ecuadorian Coast (previously 2 months) today with a stream of warm water backfilling into it. The hi-res GODAS animation posted 8/26 (no update) indicates a large very warm stream of +1-2 degs anomalies extending west to east starting at 170E and over a large section of the subsurface equatorial Pacific and building while tracking east with 2 deg anomalies from 170W and points east of there and +4-5 degs anomalies from 117W and points east of there erupting into Ecuador. +1-2 degree anomalies were falling off the Maritime Continent merging with the preexisting warm stream with a new pocket of 2-3 degs anomalies centered at 180W (Kelvin Wave #6). In other words, this image suggests a steady flow of warm water flowing east from the Maritime Continent suggesting another Kelvin Wave is developing. No cool anomalies were indicated. El Nino is developing. The GODAS animation is 1 week behind the TAO data but also is more detailed and accurately depicted since its satellite based.
Sea Level Anomalies: (8/26) No update - Sea heights were positive across the equatorial Pacific starting east of 170E at +0-5 cms. +5 cm anomalies were in the east from 162W east into Ecuador with +10 cm anomalies from 150W east to 110W. Positive anomalies extending north into Central America up to the southern tip of Baja and south to Chile. This means no cool water was at depth. Per the Upper Ocean Heat Anomaly Histogram (9/5) warm water continues at +1.00-2.00 degs over the East Pacific from 160W and east of there. A broad pocket of near neutral to slightly negative anomalies was between 140-160E. The warm water flow had backed off some with nothing to force more warm water east (i.e. no Active MJOs occurring) in July. But a new Kelvin Wave is now in flight. Otherwise there's been no change since mid March, a steady flow of warm water pushing east.

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: (9/10) The latest images depict a strong warm signal along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador out to 105W and building some after being buffeted by east anomalies. Lesser but still serious heat continued west to about 150W (previously 137W). The warm pool is growing/building westward. Lesser heat extended west to the dateline and beyond. Heat also extends north up to Central Baja and south down into Patagonia. There is a very clear El Nino signal with the classic El Nino triangle in-place. The last remnants of La Nina are gone on the equator but remnants are still evident in a cool pool from a point well off Southern Baja from 130W west to a point south of Hawaii. The Cool Pool is finally collapsing. La Nina is all but gone now atmospherically over the Pacific.
Hi-res 7 day Trend (9/10): A nearly gone steam of cool waters were fading on the equator from Ecuador west to 100W with weak warming water west from there to 150W. A neutral trend was along the coasts of Chile and Peru. The pattern of adding energy to the warm surface pool is stable but not building. A warming trend had been well entrenched over the East Pacific since Nov 1 with no cooling waters over the equatorial East Pacific since 12/15. And strong warming is extending southwest from Southern CA to a point well southwest of Hawaii. This signals the demise of the cool upwelling 'La Nina hangover' pool.
Hi-res Overview: (9/10) Warmer than normal waters are filling the East Pacific off Chile, Peru, Ecuador and north up to Mexico with strong warming in many pockets along the immediate cost of Peru and Ecuador out to 110W and building. And the classic El Nino tongue of more intense warming is building considerably over the equator west to the dateline and beyond. Everything is now looking like El Nino. And the La NIna enhanced cool pool off California is fading and drifting west, while weakening.
Nino1.2 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (9/11) (Coral Reef temps run about +0.2 degrees higher). Today's temps appears to have bottomed out at +2.236 after rising at +3.073 (8/31) after rising to +3.164 (8/18) after being up to +2.925 on 8/10 after rising at +3.074 degs (8/7) after being up to +3.391 (on 7/20) and had been rising from +2.906 (starting 7/3) rising from +2.451 after peaking at +2.7926 on 6/13 and have been up in the +2.0 to +3.0 degs range since 4/1 having previously peaked at +2.891 (4/13). Previously temps reached +2.302 degrees on 4/6, +1.732 degs (3/22), up from +0.462 since 2/28. Temps had reached as high as +1.076 on 2/19 and were previously steady at +0.848 since 2/7. Previously they started steadily rising 11/13 when they were around -1.5 degs C.
Nino 3.4 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (9/11) (Coral Reef anomalies run about +0.2 degrees higher). Today temps were falling at +1.155 after rising to +1.260 on 9/9. Temps first time above 1.0 degs was on 8/7 after being up to +0.967 (8/1) up from +0.873 degs (7/25) after peaking at +0.985 (7/18). Previously temps were rising slightly at +0.882 (7/9) after being steady at +0.794 4-5 days and that after being steady at +0.895 (3 days near 6/25) after being in the +0.712 range the previous 9 days after previously rising to +0.975 on 6/9. We are now 31 days into a trend of being above the El Nino threshold (for the 2nd time). Temps reached the El Nino threshold for the first time on 5/17 at +0.507 then quickly fell over the next 10 days down to +0.378 (5/26). Previous peaks of +0.318 on 4/30 besting the previous peak at +0.199 on 4/21. Temps have been steadily increasing hitting 0.0 on 4/12 and were then more or less steady the previous 4 weeks. Temps previously rose 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. They 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 (Nino3.4 Region)
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. Temps rose to +0.50 degs mid-May and were at +0.9 degs in mid-June, and +1.05 mid July reaching +1.30 degs early Aug and leveled out there through early Sept..
Forecast (9/7) - Temps are to hold at +1.35 degs into mid-Oct then rising fast to +1.70 degs in Nov (down from +1.85 degs) and solidly in El Nino territory. The PDF Corrected forecast suggests temps are forecast falling to +1.15 degs in Sept hold into mid-Oct, then rising to +1.40 degs in Nov-Dec. According to this version of the model we are building into a high medium or low level strong El Nino. But max temps are down from previous runs and continue to be adjusted downwards.
IRI Consensus Plume: The August 18, 2023 Plume (all models) depicts temps are +1.432 degs today and it's the 5th month above the La Nina threshold. Temps to rise steadily from here forward up to +1.682 degrees in Oct and 1.716 in November then fading from there. The dynamic model suggest temps peaking at +2.060 in Nov while the statistic models show +1.122 degrees. The dynamic models are running much hotter than the statistic models. The CFS model is right in the middle of the dynamic model range.
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 (9/11) the Daily Index was negative down hard at -27.45 and have been negative for 27 days (starting 9/16), then positive the previous 7 days. It had been negative the previous 29 days (7/14-8/11) with a peak down to -37.30 on 7/25. It was positive the previous 21 days then was negative 11 days prior and positive 5 days previous then negative for 27 days previous ending 6/6 with a peak down to -29.32 on 5/31, -64.63 on 5/24 and -31.31 on 5/12. Previously readings were toggling between +10 and -10 for 13 days, but negative the 15 days previous to that, positive the 6 days prior to that after being mostly negative 25 days before that. It fell to -19.40 on 4/2. -17.44 on 2/22, the beginning of a change from which no return seemed 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 at -10.38 and fell below the neutral point on 7/26. It rose above positive 7/3-7/25. It previously fell to -19.64 on 6/5 had been falling to -4.13 on 4/4 (lagging indicator driven by the Active Phase of the MJO) after falling to -0.52 on 3/22 previously 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 some at -7.14 and turned negative the first time in years on 5/12. Recent max lows were -8.90 on 8/8 and -7.57 on 6/6. It previously peaked 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
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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.