Overview
Hope everyone got some fun waves over the holiday weekend, but if you didn’t there’s still more swell in the forecast. Our 4th of July swell will show fun waves early in the week as it slowly eases, until another run of southern hemisphere swells moves in midweek and into the weekend. Most days will have minimal NW swell mixing in with the dominant southerly energy, but there will be a small pulse of localized NW wind swell midweek which will help out the shape at the beach breaks.
Pretty seasonal July weather for this week’s forecast. We’ll still be dealing with marine layer most mornings, and a gradual clearing for most afternoons. Morning winds look light, but most will have a slight texture on it due to light south winds. The afternoons this week won’t be too blown out, so an afternoon session is always worth a look. High temperatures will mostly be in the low 70s at the coast, even as a strong ridge of high pressure builds over the region during the weekend. Our relatively cool sea surface temperatures well off the coast and onshore flow will help keep us from getting too hot, unlike areas inland.
Best Bets
-Fun surf all week with the best conditions in the mornings.
-Target the combo or beach breaks Wednesday and Thursday.
-Target the points or jetties Friday to Monday.
Day to Day Breakdown
Tuesday the 6th: 3-5 feet
The weekend 4th of July south swell will hold to slightly ease, still showing fun-sized surf across the region. Barely any NW swell in the water, so not too many corners for the beach breaks. A very light south wind will be on it in the morning, but it won’t be enough to ruin your session. Afternoon winds may be light enough for a surf too.
Wednesday the 7th: 3-4+ occasional 5 feet
The 4th of July swell will continue easing, but a new SW swell will start filling in. This swell will have a lot of west in it (~210-215°), which isn’t favorably angled for some typical summer south-facing spots. There will also be a small new upstick in localized NW wind swell. Morning winds look similar to Tuesday, with a very light south wind, but manageable. Afternoon winds don’t look bad either.
Thursday the 8th: 3-4+ occasional 5 feet
The SW swell will trend a bit more southerly, but still a lot of west in it compared to most southern hemisphere swells. That NW wind swell will hang in there showing better size early. Similar winds again in the morning, and a tad stronger onshore flow the afternoon coming from the south.
Friday the 9th: 3-4+ occasional 5 feet
The more westerly southern hemi holds, while a new more straight south (~180°) fills in later in the day. There will be a tiny bit of NW wind swell left over, but likely not enough to break up the dominant southerly energy for the beach breaks. The morning will be the best window with mostly calm conditions. There will be a light southerly wind during the afternoon, possibly easing enough for an evening glass off for some select locations.
Saturday the 10th: 3-5 feet
The new straight south will fill in a bit more and top out, showing best size for the south-facing breaks. Pretty much no NW swell in the water, so find somewhere that can handle the lined-up swell. Morning winds will be fairly light, followed by an afternoon sea breeze remaining under 10 knots.
Sunday the 11th: 3-5 feet
South swell continues all day. No NW swell in the water again, so target somewhere with a point or structure that gets the straight south. Weather models are hinting at a Catalina Eddy to spin up at the coast, which would result in south winds for the morning. Too far out for wind details, they could trend lighter and still be a fun day of surf.
Monday the 12th: 3-5 feet
The old straight south swell eases, while yet another south swell builds later in the day and potentially showing larger sets late for southerly focal points. Will be another day of fun surf if the winds cooperate. Watching the possibility of a Catalina Eddy.
– Jax Richards @jax6street
If you’d like to receive these day by day forecasts every week, sign up for our newsletter