New Swell Classification Guidelines (Winter)
Significant: Winter - Swell 8 ft @ 14 secs or greater (11+ ft faces) for 8+ hours (greater than double overhead). Summer - Head high or better.
Advanced: Winter - Swell and period combination capable of generating faces 1.5 times overhead to double overhead (7-10 ft) Summer - Chest to head high.
Intermediate: Winter - Swell and period combination generating faces at head high to 1.5 times overhead (4-7 ft). Summer - Waist to chest high.
Impulse/Windswell: Winter - Swell and period combination generating faces up to head high (1-4 ft) or anything with a period less than 11 secs. Summer - up to waist high swell. Also called 'Background' swell.
PACIFIC OVERVIEW
On Thursday (10/15) North and Central California was getting residual swell from a gale that was off the coast on Tuesday. Surf was still in the 3 ft overhead range or a little more coming from due west with light south winds and fading and improving conditions. This swell hit hard Tues afternoon, bigger and earlier than expected. Snow that was accumulating in the Sierras Tuesday during the day got eliminated by a warm pulse and rain, with mostly bare ground below 8,000 ft (though Mammoth had solid accumulations up high). Southern California was a doing well with the same west swell pushing 1 ft overhead on the sets up north and reasonably clean though a little bit warbled. Sets were 1-2 ft overhead down south and cleaner. Hawaii's North Shore was getting the leftovers from Melor with waves head high and clean with little to no wind. The East Shore had wrap around northwest swell from Melor and windswell from the Western Gulf at thigh high. The South Shore had some thigh high southern hemi crumblers and clean.
The forecast for North and Central CA is for swell from the gale that was off the coast on Tuesday to slowly settle down on Friday, but still head high to 1 ft overhead, with limited reinforcements coming in on Saturday again at head high to 1 ft overhead, then settling down Sunday and getting pretty small by Monday. Southern California is to get some more swell from the local gale on Friday at waist to chest high with reinforcements showing up later Saturday again pushing it up to waist to chest high, dropping to thigh high on Sunday. The North Shore of Hawaii is to see the last vestiges of the Melor swell on Friday with head high sets the dropping out on Saturday and nothing else behind. The East Shore is to see some thigh high east windswell on Sunday with trades on the way up. The South Shore is expecting south swell for the weekend (details below).
Longterm the Active Phase of the MJO is weakly in-control and expected to help nudge thing in the right direction, but not exerting a strong influence. Weak follow-on energy from the gale that was off Central CA on Tuesday is expected to build off the coast Thurs/Fri setting up windswell through the weekend. Otherwise the remnants of Tropical Storm Nepartak are to generate winds and seas pushing 19 ft on Mon/Tues (10/20) with another system forecast right behind in the Northern Gulf on Thurs (10/22) generating up to 30 ft seas. But the models have been most unstable so don't count on any particular outcome. Regardless, the pattern looks to be shifting towards the East Pacific focusing on California and leaving Hawaii out of the mix. But southern hemi swell is pushing north giving the South Shore something while waiting for the Northwest Pacific to become active.
SHORT- TERM FORECAST
Current marine weather and wave analysis.cgius forecast conditions for the next 72 hours
North Pacific
Overview
On Thursday (10/15) the North Pacific jetstream continued with a healthy flow running at 130-140 kts running on the 40N latitude with a mild ridge over the dateline falling into a modest trough bottoming out 600 nmiles north of Hawaii. It was providing some support for gale development. the jetstream ridged from there into Washington state, trying to provide a weak clearing pattern over Central and Southern CA. Over the next 72 hrs this trough is to push east and fade, effectively gone by Saturday AM (10/17) leaving a flat flow in.cgiace traversing the North Pacific on the 35-40N latitude. Beyond 72 hours another moderate.cgius trough is forecast for just west of the dateline late Sunday (10/18) with 160 kts winds pushing down into it then easing with the trough flattening out off the Ca coast on Tues (10/20). Some support for gale development expected. Yet more energy is scheduled pushing off Japan at the same time moving east, while another pocket develops north of Hawaii on Thurs (10/22). The jetstream pattern continues looking moderately favorable. .
At the surface on Thursday the (10/13) the remnants of the gale that was off California on Tuesday were still circulating, lifting north in the Northeastern Gulf of Alaska. A new small secondary fetch of 30 kt southwest winds was building 700-800 nmiles off the coast likely starting to generate some seas. Another broad but weak low was over Kamchatka offering nothing in terms of swell production. The remnants of Tropical Storm Nepartak were tracking east over the dateline bound for the Gulf of Alaska, but not fetch of interest was occurring yet. Over the next 72 hours the secondary southwest fetch off California is to continue at 30 kts pushing into Washington on Friday (10/16) generating 17 ft seas at 36N 138W. Reinforcing 11 sec period windswell is expected into Central CA mid-Saturday (10/17). The remnants of Nepartak are to continue east from the dateline Friday starting to produce west winds in the 30-35 kt range and holding into mid-Saturday, then dissolving and lifting northeast as they pass north of Hawaii. 15 ft seas to result, offering maybe 10 sec period windswell for Hawaii on Tues (10/20) but size minimal (2 ft).
Extratropical Storm Melor
The remnants of Typhoon Melor started tracking east off northern Japan on Friday AM (10/9) with 55 kt winds at 42N 150E aimed generally east up the 304 degree path to NCal and 305 degree path to Hawaii. 30 ft seas were modeled at 42N 153E. In the evening winds were down to the 40-45 kts range at 42N 158W generating 35 ft seas at 43N 159E. These are to be on the 302 degree path to NCal and 2900 nmiles away and the 310 degree path to Hawaii and 2500 nmiles away. By Sat AM (10/10) winds to be down to 35 kts at 43N 165E with seas fading from 30 ft at 43N 165E, not even reaching the dateline. This one was gone after that with only 25 ft seas left Sat PM at 43N 170E. Some degree of fun sized 15-16 sec period swell is likely for the Hawaiian Islands on Tues (10/13) with less for the US Mainland on Thurs (10/15).
Central CA: Expect swell arrival Thurs (10/15) reaching 2 ft @ 16-17 secs late (3.0-3.5 ft faces). Very inconsistent if even noticeable. Swell to push to 3 ft @ 15 secs (4.5 ft faces) on Fri (10/16) then fading from there. Swell Direction 302-305 degrees
North Pacific Animations: Jetstream - Surface Pressure/Wind - Sea Height - Surf Height
California Nearshore Forecast
On Thursday (10/15) low pressure associated with the remnants of Typhoon Melor were holding up in the northeastern Gulf of Alaska while weak low pressure was trying to get a foothold riding into Central CA, but the operative word was 'weak'. More of the same is expected on Friday with Melor finally dissipating in the Northern Gulf and high pressure getting a little more footing over CA with 20-25 kt north winds from Big Sur south to Pt Conception, and lighter elsewhere. More of the same is expected on Saturday then high pressure builds stronger on Sunday with 15 kt north winds forecast from Cape Mendocino southward to Pt Conception and continuing on Monday though fading up north as new low pressure moves towards the coast. Tuesday and beyond high pressure is to hold pat from Big Sur southward and calm winds from Monterey Bay northward to Cape Mendocino. Then on Thursday (10/220 high pressure is to take over again with 20 kt north winds over the North and Central Coast. Southern Ca is to remain mostly protected from all of this.
Tropics
No tropical systems of interest were occurring.
South Pacific
Overview
At the surface on Thursday (10/15) no swell producing fetch was occurring or forecast over the next 72 hours with a steady zonal flow in control and no real swell producing fetch forecast.
New Zealand Gale- Storm 5S
A gale low quickly build under New Zealand Friday AM with 45-50 kts southwest winds at 58S 165E. By late Friday (10/9) with 45-50 kt southwest winds at 59S 163E producing 30-31 ft seas at 60S 160E, barely off the northern edge of the Ross Ice Shelf.
By Saturday AM (10/10) 35-40 kt southwest winds were fading at 55S 178E pushing east-northeast resulting in a solid sized area of 37 ft seas at 55S 172E (from previous day fetch), then fading from 32 ft in the evening at 53S 178W. The highest seas were on the 214 degree path to SCal and partially shadowed by Tahiti and on the 213 degree path to NCal and totally unshadowed. They were on the 196 degree path to Hawaii.
A fade was occurring Sunday AM (10/11) as the fetch was fading from 40 kts at 45S 172W. 35 ft seas were modeled at 48S 175W unshadowed for NCal but shadowed for SCal on the 213 degree path. In the evening residual 40 kt winds are forecast with 35 ft seas at 45S 165W from the 209 degree path to CA and shadowed for all regions, and the 187 degree path to HI, then fading out.
No Jason-1 satellite passes occurred to verify seas heights other than one early in the systems life (Fri AM) and it was exactly in-line with the models. A good shot of moderate significant class southern hemi swell (17 secs) seems likely for Tahiti and Hawaii with decent but non-significant class size for US West Coast in the days ahead.
Hawaii: Expect swell arrival early on Sat (10/17) with swell building to 3.6 ft @ 17 secs late (6.0 ft faces with top spots to 7.5-8.0 ft or more). Swell to continue on Sun (10/18) with swell 3.6 ft @ 16 secs early (5.5 ft faces with top spots to 7 ft). swell fading from 3.3 ft @ 14-15 secs on Monday (4.5-5.0 ft faces) dropping from 2.6 ft @ 13-14 secs (3.5-4.0 ft faces) Tuesday (10/20). Swell Direction: 192-196 degrees
SCal: Expect swell arrival late on Mon (10/19) with swell 1.6 ft @ 18 secs 92.5-3.0 ft faces) and size slowly building. Swell building to 2.3 ft @ 17 secs late Tuesday (4 ft faces with top spots to 5 ft). More energy holding on Wednesday (10/21) with swell 2.0-2.3 ft @ 15-16 secs (3.0-3.5 ft faces) , then heading down on Thursday with swell 2 ft @ 14-15 secs (3 ft faces). A nice little run of southern hemi swell if it is not overrun by north swell from the Gulf. Swell Direction 213-214 degrees
NCal: Expect swell arrival on Tuesday (10/20) at 2.0 ft @ 17-18 secs (3.5-4.0 ft faces with top spots to near 5 ft). More energy holding on Wednesday (10/21) with swell 2.3 ft @ 16 secs (3.5-4.0 ft faces) , then heading down on Thursday with swell 2 ft @ 15 secs (3 ft faces). Swell Direction 211-212 degrees
South Pacific Animations: Jetstream - Surface Pressure/Wind - Sea Height - Surf Height
LONG-TERM FORECAST
Marine weather and forecast conditions 3-10 days into the future
North Pacific
Beyond 72 hours subtropical moisture rising up from the tropics is to get tapped by the jetstream Monday (10/19) helping to fuel a modest gale in the Eastern Gulf late Monday/early Tuesday (10/20) with 30-35 kt west fetch aimed at Central CA and nearby (600 nmiles west of San Francisco) resulting in 17 ft seas, then lifting northeast and building to 50 kts mid Tuesday (10/20) with 25 ft seas pushing quickly onshore over British Columbia. Possible decent windswell for Central CA on Tuesday (7 ft @ 12 secs - 8.5 ft faces) if this occurs. But odds are low at this early date.
Beyond yet another small weak gale is forecast forming over the Western Gulf on Wednesday and building while lifting northeast Thursday (10/22) with 50-55 kt winds targeting the Pacific Northwest with sideband energy down into Central CA and possible 30 ft seas building too. but that's a long ways off and hardly believable at this early date.
If anything the pattern seems very focused on the East Pacific, pretty much leaving Hawaii out of the mix, and really targeting the Pacific Northwest best.
MJO/ENSO Update (reference): As of Thursday (10/15) the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) was in the Active Phase. The ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) index was moving negative. The Daily SOI index was at -1.61 (8 days in a row solidly negative and 20 consecutive days nearly negative/not positive) The 30 day average was down to -0.27 and the 90 average was holding at -1.37. The SOI index is likely to continue heading down for the days ahead driven by the Active Phase of the MJO.
Wind anomalies at the 850 mb level (approx 5000 ft up) as defined by models indicated neutral/normal winds over the Eastern equatorial Pacific with mild western anomalies associated with the Active Phase of the MJO present from Indonesia east to a point about north of New Guinea. This is consistent with previous estimates. The Active Phase has made all the progress into the West Pacific it is going to make, and expected to fade in the next few days. A dead neutral pattern is forecast by 10/19 with very mild east anomalies (Inactive Phase0 starting to appear in the Central Indian Ocean. So the question remains whether the models will change and suggest re-ignition of the Active Phase a week out. At this point it really doesn't matter given what's happening with winds and water temps on the dateline (see below). Regardless, the models suggest dead neutral conditions now through November 3 with the Inactive Phase fading in the Indian Ocean as well. If anything. maybe this is a case in point where the MJO signal does in-fact die during El Nino events. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Our belief is that the mid-to-late October timeframe still looks like a good window for support of North Pacific Storm development, moving slowly from the West Pacific tropics towards the Central Pacific (Hawaii and the Western Gulf of Alaska) .
Sea Surface Temp anomaly data (10/12) indicates more subtle changes over the past month, with the area of warmer than normal water expanding it's grip on the equator starting on the dateline and building east into Central/South America with temps holding at 2.0-3.0 deg C above normal in the east. This is suggestive of a weak to moderate El Nino. The expanse of the warmer waters continues to build north of the equator, solidifying it's grip up the coast of Mexico and Baja (though still retreated from Southern and Northern CA - the result of a local north wind/high pressure event last week forced by the last push of the Inactive Phase of the MJO), and extending west almost to Hawaii then southwest to the dateline. If anything, this area is looking even stronger than a week ago. Effectively there is a broad wide triangle of warmer than normal water extending from just south of San Diego southwest just under Hawaii and on to the intersection of the equator and the dateline, then tracking southeast on to Northern Peru. This is not historically anything exceptional, but clearly a moderate El Nino just the same. In reviewing surface water temp anomalies over the past decade and more, this is in no way similar to the monumental ENSO event of '97/98. But as previously stated, it still surpasses any event since then (over the last 12 years) in terms of either water temps or areal coverage. And the warm pool is holding if not subtly building in areal coverage, though not building in intensity. Cooler than normal waters we had been monitoring off Africa have totally faded out.
Below the surface on the equator things continue to look most positive, better than a week ago. A steady flow of warmer than normal subsurface water continues tracking from the West Pacific (150 m below the surface) under the dateline and breaking the surface near Central America as it has for months now. The Kelvin Wave we had been tracking over the past months has reached Central America with the core moving into the coast. This Kelvin Wave was the result of a Westerly Wind Burst (WWB) in the West Pacific from 7/25-8/2. We still expect to see surface water temperatures jump up in Oct off Central America as this Kelvin wave disperses, feeding the developing warm water pool there and fueling El Nino. The good news is that another core of 2 deg warm water that first appeared under the dateline on 9/17 moving east to 175W by 9/22 and 172W on 9/24, then built to 3 degrees above normal (9/29) was still growing as of 10/15 at 162W. It looked most impressive. This is a new Kelvin Wave, one we'd been looking for associated with a persistent weak westerly surface wind flow that had been in.cgiace west of the dateline from 9/8-9/17. It is expected to reach the coast of Ecuador late December, about at the peak of whatever El Nino will be in.cgiace for this winter. So all looks good for maintaining the existing warm pool for a while if not building it. But for more than a weak El Nino to form, we need more warm water over the long haul.
On 10/1 a solid patch of westward winds were depicted in-control of the West Pacific with strong west anomalies extending to almost the dateline. This had been in.cgiay since 9/27 and was associated with tropical systems Parma and Melor. This was good news. A full on Westerly Wind Burst was in effect. As of 10/3 fully blowing west winds were subsiding, though westerly anomalies continued reaching to the dateline. And by 10/6 just light west winds were in effect west of the dateline. But then again on 10/7 another group of fully blowing west winds were depicted extending all the way to the dateline, with decent force too. Anomalies were in full effect to the dateline and beyond to the east. On 10/11 light west winds were still in effect to the dateline with solid anomalies over the dateline and to a point south of Hawaii. And by 10/13 a light west flow was in effect with full west anomalies still in.cgiace to the dateline and east to about Hawaii fading some into 10/15 but still light west winds were west of the dateline and anomalies east of there. This remains very good news and is likely associated with the current new Active Phase of the MJO. Of much interest were the anomalies from climatological norms, with western anomalies blowing solidly in the region west of the dateline and now solid westerly anomalies were moving into the the region east of the dateline to a point south of Hawaii. This is the first such event for this El Nino and if anything was on the upswing. It has been holding for a week now, likely qualifying it as a new and distinct Westerly Wind Burst. For weeks now (since 9/8) a moderate westerly anomaly has been in.cgiay from the west up to the dateline. These westerly anomalies started with Typhoon Dujuan and continued with Choi-Wan gently feeding the subsurface warm water flow. And then with Parma and Melor, that flow was enhanced. And now yet more anomalies and full Westerly Winds are occurring. At a minimum it suggests reinforcements for the developing Kelvin Wave depicted on the dateline (see above) if not causing yet another Kelvin wave to develop. And that in-turn will reinforce the Kelvin Wave impacting Central America. This is all very encouraging.
At this time we are saying this developing El Nino is past the critical juncture and will survive in some fashion with effects continuing in the atmosphere until at least the Spring of next year. All data suggests this will not be a strong El Nino, more likely a weak to moderate one. NOAA's most recent update (10/8) forecasts the same outcome, though hints at a possible intensification (but not likely). A solid accumulation of warm water in the equatorial East Pacific is evidence in-favor of continued development. As long as there continues to be WWB's (as there obviously is), then warm water will be migrating east, and the warm water pattern will hold if not build, and the atmosphere above it will respond in-kind to the change (towards El Nino). At this point there is no evidence to suggest this El Nino will stall or dissipate. The only remaining question is whether it will hold, or grow. And current data indicates that the warm pool will hold if not slowly build. And historically it is already larger and strong than any other in the past 12 years.
The next milestone we're monitoring is development of this Active Phase of the MJO occurring now (10/3). The models indicate it is moderate in strength and should hold for a few weeks. Also water temps need to hold if not build (as is happening now). Our thoughts are that El Nino might gain a little more strength, but not much, with a 2 degree water temp anomaly in the tropical East Pacific the likely outcome. Coverage is pretty solid for this event, but the lack of really high water temp anomalies will likely limit it's strength. Strong El Ninos bring lot's of bad weather to the US West Coast, along with the potential for storm and swell enhancement. A moderate El Nino provides storm and swell enhancement, a gentle but steady push/momentum in-favor of storm development rather than the manic frenzy of a strong El Nino, but without all the weather associated with a strong event. So in many ways a moderate El Nino is more favorable from a surf perspective. As of right now things remain better than anything the Pacific has seen in the past 12 years regarding anomalous sea surface temperatures, besting anything since the big El Nino of 1997. That is very good news. But the lack of anomalous water temps exceeding 3 degrees and an unremarkable SOI suggests a modest El Nino at best. Still, it should be enough to provide storm enhancement, and a better than average winter surf season for the North Pacific, and still likely better than anything in the past 10 years. Better yet, if it's not too strong (as this event appears to be) perhaps it will not degrade into La Nina the year after (which typically happens after stronger El Ninos), but hold in some mild El Nino like state for several years in a row. This would be an even better outcome.
See more details in the new El Nino update.
South Pacific
Beyond 72 hours the models suggest no swell producing fetch to occur.
Details to follow...
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External Reference Material: El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), Kelvin Wave
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Local Interest
Interview With Stormsurf: The crew at SurfScience.com worked with Stormsurf on a feature about why surfers should be able to read wave charts themselves. They are firm believers that a little learning can go a long way to help your surfing. This is a great article to help convince your friends that they can benefit from being able to read the data themsleves rather than just relying on the forecasts of others. See the full thing here: Create Your Own Surf Forecast with Stormsurf
Mavericks - Everest of the Sea & Longboard Vineyards: Come late October Sonoma County will not only welcome a new crop of world class wines, but the award winning photography of some of Action Sports best lensmen. “ Mavericks – Everest of the Seas” comes alive again just in time to set the stage for another epic Big Wave Season. Mix two of Northern California's finest institutions – big wave surfing and the wine country – and you have what promises to be an amazing weekend at the Longboard Vineyards Tasting Room in Healdsburg
October 23 – 25.
Relive heroic battles between man and wave as seen through the eyes of the cutting-edge photojournalists who risk life and limb to document the wave's intense man-against-the-sea drama and obsessive lifestyle of Maverick's elite riders. Oded Shakked, a longtime surfer who founded Longboard Vineyards, will be unveiling his latest release, The Peter Mel/Mavericks Cabernet Sauvignon. This signature wine will be blended by not only Shakked but guest vintner, Peter Mel. Mel, one of the most respected names in Big Wave Surfing is known as perhaps the most skillful surfer ever to ride Mavericks. The famed spot off the Half Moon Bay. In October of 1998 he was whipped into to what is now considered the biggest wave ever ridden… Mel along with the featured photographers, surfboard shapers and wine makers will be on hand for the Friday night reception. The reception will begin at 5pm and run until roughly 9pm.
Longboard Vineyard has always had a soft spot for surfers. It's a.cgiace where you can hangout at a redwood-surfboard bar, or sa.cgie one
of its award winning wines while kicking back on a comfortable sofa watching surf movies. For this harvest weekend event Shakked has
enlisted “Mavericks: Everest of the Seas,” the heralded collection of Mavericks surf photography from Frank Quirarte, Doug Acton, Seth
Migdail and Ed Grant.
“Everest of the Seas” first made its debut recently at the Coastal Arts League Gallery in Half Moon Bay, drawing large crowds and an
enthusiastic response. It just finished a one-month highly successful run at San Francisco's world class Museum and Gallery, SFMOMA.“Everyone who sees the exhibit is just blown away,” said Grant, the curator of the Coastal Arts League Gallery. “Both surfers and non-surfers can't help but get caught up in the energy and stoke that surrounds Maverick's, the surfers and photographers who put it on the
line every time they go out there.”
The event also represents a high point in the career of Oded Shakked, who was born in Israel and grew up near a beach just north of Tel
Aviv. Immersed in surfing from the start, he made several trips around Europe's Atlantic coast while discovering, to his delight, that “it
was easier, cheaper and safer to drink good red wine than bottled water.” His twin loves of surfing and wine brought him to California,
where he studied winemaking at UC Davis and became enamored with the pe.cgie, climate and rich soil of Sonoma County. He founded Longboard Vineyards with the motto “Wine, waves and soul,” making it a highly unique fixture in wine country.
The October 23-25 weekend will also feature the sale of surfboards and memorabilia, along with Acton's acclaimed book, “Inside Maverick's.”
Admission is free. Opening reception sponsored by Maverick Events and Longboard Vineyards
The Kelly Slater Project - A fundraiser is scheduled for Aug 29th at the Cocoa Beach Country Club to help raise funds for both the Kelly Slater Project and the Central Florida Animal Reserve. A Casino night is.cgianned including a silent auction and raffle. Sponsors are also needed. Learn more about these projects at : http://www.thekellyslaterproject.com/
Rebuild Jeff Clark: Jeff Clark the first pioneer of Mavericks, recently underwent hip resurfacing surgery due to severe pain from deterioration of his hip. Needless to say the procedure is very expensive and his insurance only covers tiny portion of the bill. If you're interested in learning about the procedure or would like to donate to help Jeff out,.cgiease take a look here: http://www.rebuildjeffclark.blogspot.com/
North California Surf Report Works Again: After an extended downtime we finally got the North California Surf Report working again. Thanks for your patience. See it here: http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/report/ncal.html
Shark Video: Our friend Curt Myers of Powerlines productions shot this footage of 2 great whites munching on a whale carcass off Devils Slide (south of San Francisco) on Thursday. Kind of interesting to watch. Check it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4rZYEZMWQ (Fixed link)
Wave Model Upgrade Status Report: At this point we believe the installation of the new wave models is complete, with no problems being reported, the server stabilizing and the much requested return of the old style hemispheric Surf Height models now operational (again) and running side-by-side along the new ones. We thank you for your patience and input as we went though this process. Your feedback helps guide our efforts and ultimately results in a better product for everyone. Now we're off to start providing better menus to some wave model products most of you probably haven't uncovered yet (site specific graph and text forecasts), updateing the wave model FAQs and then upgrading the Weather Models.
New Wave Model Facts: Click HERE to read more about the new wave models. Important info.
Stormsurf Wave Models Updated: On Friday (2/6) we installed the latest upgrade to our wavemodels. A year in the works, this upgrade essentially is a total re-write of every wave model product we produce. They now take advantage of the new Version 3 of the Wavewatch wavemodel. This version runs at a much higher resolution, specifically 0.0 X 0.5 degrees for the global grib with local products at 0.1667 X 0.1667 degrees, and it uses the hi-res GFS model for wind speeds. And of even more interest, the model now identifies primary swell and windwave variables. As such we now have new model images which displays this data. Also we've included out special 3D topographic land masks into all models. In all it makes for a radical step forward in wave model technology. We'll be upgrading minor components (FAQ, new menu pages etc) for a few weeks to come, but all the basics are available for your use now. Check it out here: http://www.stormsurf.com/mdls/menu_wam.html
Story About Stormsurf: The folks at SurfPulse (and specifically author Mike Wallace) have written up a really nice article about Stormsurf, complete with some good pics. Learn about how we came to be and a little of where we are going. Check it out here: http://www.surfpulse.com/2009/01/visceral-surf-forecasting-with-mark-sponsler/
Stormsurf Video: Just for fun - here's a clip about Stormsurf that ran on Bay Area TV a while back. Thought you might enjoy it: http://vimeo.com/2319455
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.
Need Chiropractic Help? Visit our friends at Darrow Chiropractic. Not only will Dr. Darrow fix you up, he might give you some big wave surfing tips too! See more here: http://www.darrowchiropractic.com/
Stormsurf Google Gadget - Want Stormsurf content on your Google Homepage? It's si.cgie and free. If you have Google set as your default Internet E.cgiorer Homepage, just click the link below and a buoy forecast will be added to your Google homepage. Defaults to Half Moon Bay CA. If you want to select a different location, just click on the word 'edit', and a list of alternate available locations appears. Pick the one of your choice. Content updates 4 times daily. A great way to see what waves are coming your way!
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Surf Height-Swell Height Correlation Table
