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 Saturday (11/14) North and Central California was effectively flat by Fall standards with waist high warbled windswell and light onshore winds. Southern California was tiny too with waves in the thigh to maybe waist high range at the best breaks down south. Glassy conditions prevailed early. Hawaii's North Shore was still getting some of the northeast swell, but most of it was shadowed now with the direction turning more easterly. Waves were head high or a little better with a bit of warbled running through it but basically clean. The East Shore was 4-5 ft overhead with pretty raw with onshore winds and chopped. The South Shore was knee to thigh high and clean but looking only like windswell with short crumbly lines. Conditions were clean though.
The forecast for North and Central CA is for more of the same for another day or so. A little pulse of Gulf windswell expected for Sunday at shoulder high with luck, and getting reinforced later Monday to maybe 1 ft overhead and holding Tuesday. Southern California is to see perhaps a little more energy in the water later Sunday with Gulf windswell waist high at exposed breaks continuing Monday. Reinforcing energy to arrive for Tuesday pushing waves to waist high and even a little more at top exposed breaks. The North Shore of Hawaii is to slowly fade out with chest high easterly wrap windswell arriving on Sunday at best then fading out and effectively flat into Tuesday with all energy hitting the East Shore. But somewhat better things are to come. The East Shore is to have more northeast to east local windswell to 2 ft overhead on Sunday, dropping a foot on Monday but still head high or so on Tuesday, holding there to 1 ft overhead through the week. The South Shore is to be near flat through the weekend, then small southern hemi swell is to arrive for Monday at waist high or so, dropping some Tuesday.
Longterm though Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is moving from the Inactive Phase with the Active Phase building in the Indian Ocean. Certainly a short down-spell as far as the MJO goes. The models continue suggesting that a gale will develop in the the Northwestern Gulf on Sunday (11/15) dropping southeast while expanding, with 35 kts winds and 26 ft seas by Monday and Tuesday targeting primarily the Pacific Northwest and into California though there's decent odds for some swell to wrap into Hawaii. Of course this assumes the models are correct which is still a bit of a leap of faith. Additional energy is forecast in the Gulf on Wed/Thurs (11/19) possibly generating 40 kts northwest winds and 26-28 ft seas. And another stronger system is forecast right behind it on the dateline later next week. Looks like a better pattern for the week or more ahead.
SHORT- TERM FORECAST
Current marine weather and wave analysis.cgius forecast conditions for the next 72 hours
North Pacific
Overview
On Saturday (11/14) the North Pacific jetstream was tracking more or less flat on the 50N latitude just barely south of the Aleutians with a good pocket of 190 kts winds building west of the dateline and 120 kts winds pushing through the Gulf of Alaska in one long continuous flow. A weak broad trough was trying to develop over the Western GUlf of Alaska. At this point no support for gael development was evident, but that appears to be changing. Over the next 72 hrs a solid trough is to start digging out over the Central Gulf as 200 kt northwest winds build feeding into the trough. Good support for gale development expected by Sunday (11/15). Winds are to slowly back off down to 160 kts on Monday but a solid trough is forecast still holding over the Gulf offering good support for gale formation. Beyond 72 hours that trough is to continue pushing east, impacting Northern CA Wednesday. Rain and wind likely then. A renewed troughing pattern is forecast in the Eastern Gulf late week (Thurs) with 170 kt northwest winds feeding into it and supporting more gale development, pushing into North CA Friday (11/20). A a new trough is to be building off Kamchatka and pushing east with the entire flow pushing much further south, down to the 43N latitude by Saturday (11/21) and looking much more like one would expect for the time of year considering El Nino is in effect.
At the surface on Saturday (11/14) a gale low at 960 mbs was tucked up into the extreme northern Gulf of Alaska generating 45 kt west winds aimed on Northern Canada and was starting to impact the coast there. 26 ft seas were building, all tracking due east with only limited hope for sideband energy pushing southeast towards maybe the Pacific Northwest arriving there on Monday (11/16). Otherwise high pressure at 1028 mbs was lodged 800 nmiles northeast of Hawaii generating abroad fetch of 20-25 kt east winds pushing up to the Hawaiian Islands and generating moderate or more sized east windswell along East facing Shores. Over the next 72 hours a gale is to start building in the West ern Gulf of Alaska on Sun AM (11/15) with 30-35 kt northwest winds at 48N 160W aimed about midway between Hawaii and California on the 302 degree path to Central CA and well east of the 356 degree path to Hawaii. In the evening more 35 kt northwest fetch is to continue at 45N 157W aimed 30 degrees south of the 296 degree path into North CA and 45 degrees east of the 357 degree path to Hawaii. Near 26 ft seas forecast building at 45N 162W. On Monday AM (11/16) that same 35 kt fetch if to hold but moving east to 40-45N and 150W in the 285-295 degree window to Central CA and mostly outside the window into Hawaii with 26 ft seas at 42N 153W pushing 30 degrees south of the 292 degree path to Central CA. In the evening a defined core of low pressure is to set up with 40 kt northwest winds building at 47N 143W with much 30-35 kt fetch southwest of there. Seas from previous fetch to still be at near 26 ft at 39N 148W pushing 45 degrees south of the 285 degree path into Central CA. Tuesday AM (11/17) continued near 40 kts winds are forecast up at 50N 140W with lesser fetch extending well south of there and 26 ft seas at 43N 147W pushing 20 degrees south of the 296 degree path to Central CA. In the evening the fetch is to be fading out with 25 ft seas holding at 40-45N and 140W pushing well towards Central CA. If all this happens as forecast it seems like some degree of solid sized 13-14 sec period swell will result for the PAcific Northwest down into CEntral CA with energy wrapping into Southern CA as well. But this is just preliminary forecast projections by the models, and doesn't mean anything since no winds are blowing on the oceans surface just yet. Still, it's something to monitor.
Otherwise east winds at 20-25 kts are to continue blowing east of Hawaii and aimed right at Eastern Shores there from Saturday (11/14) through the workweek generating east
North Pacific Animations: Jetstream - Surface Pressure/Wind - Sea Height - Surf Height
California Nearshore Forecast
On Saturday (11/14) modest high pressure at 1028 mbs northeast of Hawaii was trying to ridge into the coast but not quite making it. 15-20 kt north winds were well off the coast, but a near calm flow was nearshore over most off of California other than Cape Mendocino and Pt Conception. On mid-Sunday the high is to break up as low pressure builds in the Gulf with cleaner conditions expected for the state later in the day continuing Monday (11/16). But a front associated with a gale in the Gulf and south winds is modeled pushing south Monday/Tues (11/17) reaching as far south as Morro Bay followed by a brief push of light north wind behind it Wednesday (though calm in SF up to Pt Arena). Another front is schedule for Thursday/Friday (11/20) reaching to Pt Conception. Weak high pressure to follow on Saturday (11/21) with north winds at 15 kts from Pt Reyes and stronger down into Pt Conception but light up in Cape Mendo. SCal to remain mostly protected.
Tropics
With the MJO moving into the Inactive Phase, net tropical activity is heading down and expected to stay there through 11/20.
No tropical systems of interest are being monitored.
South Pacific
Overview
At the surface on Saturday (11/14) one more strong gale was tracking under the Tasman Sea, bound for a point just under New Zealand on Sun (11/15) with up to 36 ft seas at 51S 168E, but fading before making any more eastern headway. Maybe some more small swell for Hawaii with luck.
Another New Zealand Gale
Another weak gale pushed under New Zealand on Monday AM (11/2) generating 28 ft seas at 55S 170E aimed a bit to the northeast. Fetch faded through the day with 26 ft seas at 55S 174E then dissipating Limited background swell for Hawaii is possible starting roughly Wednesday (11/11).
Third New Zealand Gale
On Sunday (11/8) a small gale was forming under New Zealand producing a tiny fetch of 40 kt southwest winds aimed well at Hawaii from 55S 175E and tracking northeast while fading resulting in up to a tiny area of 25 ft seas at 50S 178E in the evening. This system regenerated on Monday with more 40 kts southwest winds at 47S 173W resulting in 26 ft seas at 45S 173W. Hawaii to possibly see some more background southern hemi swell starting Mon (11/16) at 1.6 ft @ 16 secs (2.5-3.0 ft faces) building to 2 ft @ 14 secs on Tuesday (3 ft faces) from 195 degrees.
Fourth New Zealand Gale
On Thursday (11/12) another small gale formed under New Zealand producing a tiny fetch of 40 kt southwest winds aimed well at Hawaii from 55S 170E and tracking northeast while fading resulting in a tiny area of 26 ft seas. This held through the evening with 27 ft seas initially at 55S 180W fading to 25 ft at 52S 175W in the evening. . Hawaii to see some more background southern hemi swell with period 14 secs on 11/21.
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 the models suggest another round of reinforcing northwest gale winds are forecast for the Eastern Gulf Wed/Thurs (11/19) at 40 kts generating another round of 26-27 ft seas Wed AM at 47N 145W pushing southeast fast, with 26 ft seas at 45N 135W in the evening and 25 ft seas south of the 296 degree path into Central CA. Residual 23 ft seas are to be pushing southeast Thursday and impacting the Oregon Coast and into CA on Friday (11/20). This is all a bit preliminary though.
Also decent storm is forecast wrapping up off the Kuril Islands on Wednesday with a small area of 55 kt northwest winds and lifting northeast reaching just west of the intersection of the dateline and the Aleutians on Thursday AM (11/19) with 50 kt west winds pushing directly down the 305 degree path to Central CA and down the 320-330 degree path to Hawaii. The core of this gale is to be in the Bering Sea, but with 50 kt wes winds holding stationary just on the dateline and at about 49N pushing down the 335 degree path to HAwaii and 306 degree path to Central CA. Seas forecast at 38-40 ft from Thursday PM into Saturday AM (11/21) all pushing due east. Possible longer period moderate sized northerly swell for the US West Coast early to the middle of the following week if this occurs.
MJO/ENSO Update (reference): As of Saturday (11/14) the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) was in the Inactive Phase, but weakening fast. This instance of the Inactive Phase is fading much quicker than originally projected. The ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) index continued in the negative range with the Daily SOI index at -8.02 (only 7 days positive previously and now 3 days negative). The 30 day average was down to -14.08 while the 90 average was down some to -4.78. This is almost starting to look like a legitimate El Nino based solely on the SOI.
Wind anomalies at the 850 mb level (approx 5000 ft up) as defined by models indicated a fading and weak but broad area of easterly anomalies pretty much filling the equatorial Pacific from west to east centered on the dateline. This episode appears to have already maxed out, and is expected to slowly fade while pushing east pretty much letting go of the dateline region on 11/18, and then into Central America on 11/23 with faint remnants over only Central America through 11/28. All the while a building version of a new Active Phase is starting to organize in the Indian Ocean pushing east into the far West Pacific on 11/23 and reaching the dateline 11/28 and holding into 12/3. This episode is looking a little weaker than previously projected a few days ago, which is to be expected given that we are in an El Nino configuration. In short, the Inactive Phase appears to have already maxed and and is to be short-lived, a good thing to not suppress our building El Nino. We'll see what really happens. But for now the assumption is the net storm actively is likely to be suppressed through 11/23, then on the upswing.
Sea Surface Temp anomaly data (11/12) no real change from the last update with warm anomalies holding, extending the length of the equator from Ecuador to the dateline at 1.5 degs C higher than normal or more. This remains good news . In short, the Kelvin wave that hit Central America nearly a month ago has manifest itself at the surface in warmer waters across the length of the tropical Pacific, exactly what is required for a legitimate El Nino to develop. The expanse of the warmer waters continues to hold north of the equator, solidifying it's grip up the coast of Mexico and Baja (though still retreated from Southern and Northern CA, and extending west almost to Hawaii then southwest to the dateline. A cool trail, the result of upwelling from Super Hurricane Rick, was evident off Central Mainland Mexico to Baja. This overall warmer water signature remains not not anything exceptional, but clearly is a moderate El Nino. 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 water temps and areal coverage and is only building on that position.
Of interest, the water temp anomaly data provided by NOAA/NESDIS (satellite based) versus the TAO/TRITON buoy array, present different depictations of the same event. The TAO array suggests max heating is occurring on the dateline, with temps easing as one tracks east, while the satellite based data from NOAA presents an analysis of continuous warm waters over the length of the equator from Ecuador to the dateline. The difference is in how the data is collected (buoys at fixed points versus a satellite view of the entire.cgiaying field). We're siding with the satellite view not because it is more favorable, but because we believe it more accurately represents reality. The buoy arrays strength is in waters temps at depth (i.e. for detecting Kelvin Waves). This is exactly what the array was built to detect. The satellite view cannot do that. Likewise, the satellite has far superior coverage.
Below the surface on the equator things continue to look favorable. 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. A core of 2 deg warmer than normal sub-surface water that first appeared under the dateline on 9/17 moved east to 175W by 9/22 and 172W on 9/24, then built to 3 degrees above normal (9/29) and continued growing as of 10/18 at 160W. Data on 10/20 depicted intensification with temps pushing solidly 4 degrees C above normal. And as of 10/22 that anomaly looked to be broaching the 5 degree mark and was holding if not expanding on 10/25. On 10/26 it was confirmed at 5 degrees above normal and racing east, much faster than previous Kelvin Waves and located at 145W , and then 135W on 10/29 and 125W on 10/31 with 4 degree anomalies extending the whole was back to the dateline. On 11/3 the Kelvin Wave built yet more, with temps to 6 degrees above normal at 130W with the leading edge at 125W, holding on 11/5. By 11/8 the 6 degree anomalies had expanded with the leading edge still at 125W. On 11/14 temps dipped to 5 deg C in the core of the Kelvin wave, but expanded in coverage and moved east with the leading edge at 110W and the core at 125W. This remains a very solid Kelvin Wave, and large in areal coverage too, extending 3600 nmiles miles long. This sub-surface temperature wave is the result of a prolonged persistent westerly surface wind flow that had been in.cgiace west of the dateline from 9/8 and continued into 11/5. It is expected to reach the coast of Ecuador possibly late November (previous forecast for December). This should have a significant positive impact enhancing the existing warm pool when it hits Central America.
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. 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 10/20 but still light west winds were west of the dateline and anomalies east of there. Then on 1021 another batch of fully blowing west winds were in.cgiay with solid anomalies to 160W (south of Hawaii) and almost to 140W, making further eastward progress than anything so far this El Nino event. By 10/24 that pattern continued if not intensified with fully blowing west winds to the dateline a solid anomalies to 140W and maybe even more. And on 10/26 the pattern continued, with anomalies pushing even further eastward to near 130W. On 10/29 full blowing west winds and anomalies continued as documented above. This put anomalies over almost the entire equatorial Pacific. Impressive. And on 10/31 the pattern continued with weak west winds in the west and anomalies all the way to 110W, basically covering the entire equatorial Pacific Ocean. finally on 11/2 the westward blowing winds died on the far West Pacific as the Inactive Phased took control there. But anomalous west winds continued from the dateline almost the whole way into Ecuador through 11/5. But this is likely the end of this event. In fact on 11/7 only the faintest hint of westerly anomalies existed mainly south of Hawaii. And by 11/10 only neural/normal winds were in control and holding through 11/14. Intersting, but one would expect to see easterly anomalies with the advent of the Inactive Phase, but that is not happening as of 11/14, and the Inactive Phase is already fading. This is good news. All this suggests a significant eastward propagation of warm water is in.cgiay and remains very good news for the development of El Nino. Again, this is classic El Nino symptoms. This is the first such event for this El Nino. For almost 2 months (since 9/8) a continuous 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, Melor and Nepartak, that flow was enhanced. At this time all these anomalies appear to be consolidating the resulting warm waters into one strong Kelvin Wave, the one currently pushing east from the dateline (see above). This one is expected to reinforce if not deepen the warm anomalies on the surface over the equator.
At this time we are saying this developing El Nino will survive with effects continuing in the atmosphere until at least the late Spring of next year. All data suggests this will not be a strong El Nino, more likely a moderate one. NOAA's last update (11/5) forecasts the same outcome, though hints at some uncertainty. In short, all the best models aren't exactly sure how this is going to.cgiay out. Regardless 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 current El Nino is gaining strength, 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 is to develop.
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
Add a STORMSURF Buoy Forecast to your Google Homepage. Click Here:
Then open your Google homepage, hit 'edit' button (top right near graph), and select your location
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
