Labor Day Weekend Forecast | Southern California | 9.2.21 – 9.8.21

Overview

 

Small surf expected the first couple of days in the forecast, but a fun-sized Southern Hemisphere swell will peak over Labor Day weekend. Size will taper off into the following work week, but still showing fun rideable surf until the end of the forecast. Not much NW swell in the water this week, so again the energy from the South Pacific is going to be showing all the size. 

 

The forecast is going to start out with temperatures cooler than average for this time of year, until over the Labor Day weekend a ridge of high pressure will bring warmer temps across the region. 

 

Most mornings will see light winds with calm conditions, followed by an afternoon seabreeze.  Right now Friday and Saturday afternoons look to have the strongest onshore flow (about 10 knots), but almost every other day afternoon in the forecast looks lighter then. There hasn’t been a big stretch of time without moderate west winds in the afternoon, so the local water temps are still running in the mid-60s for most areas, and will probably continue to hover around that mark into this week.

 

September is when Coastal California sees some of its warmest temperatures of the year, so we still have time to see a stretch of warm water temps, and certainly some warmer outside temps as well.

 

Best Bets

 

– Target the 3 Day weekend as fun-sized Southern Hemisphere swell peaks

– Warmer weather over the weekend, and into next week 

– Mornings will have light winds, and a tidepush push early

 

Day to Day Breakdown

 

Thursday the 2nd: 1-3 feet 

The forecast starts off how the last one ended. Most spots are not seeing a whole lot of surf. Some select south facing breaks have been seeing some larger sets these past few days due to the specific steep swell angle (~170 °) and shorter period at 10-12s. Other than that, just a minor swell combo. Morning winds will be light. 

 

Friday the 3rd: 1-3 feet 

Pretty much a repeat of Thursday. Minor swell combo, with select south-facing breaks maybe doing a touch better. Morning winds will be light again, but stronger onshore flow is expected. 

 

Saturday the 4th: 2-3 feet 

Small surf continues, but slowly picks up later in the day as the fresh Southern Hemi builds in. Morning winds will be light, but the afternoon looks to get pretty blown out as a stronger west wind blows through at around 10-12 knots. 

 

Sunday the 5th: 3-4+ feet 

A better day of surf in store just in time for Labor Day weekend. Fresh Southern Hemi builds to a peak, showing best size later in the day. Best window should be the early morning tide push at south-facing long period focal points as light winds are expected. Afternoon onshore flow will pick up, but it’s looking a few knots lighter than Friday/Saturday.

 

Monday the 6th: 3-5 feet 

Peaking Labor Day swell. Note, west facing breaks/winter spots will be significantly smaller than numbers above. There may be a weak Catalina Eddy that could spin up at the coast, which would bring light south wind and possible marine layer in the morning. Right now it looks super light, and the afternoon looks manageable too. So still shaping up to be a super fun day of surf. 

 

Tuesday the 7th: 3-4+ feet 

Labor Day swell begins its easing trend, showing best size in the morning. We may see that Catalina Eddy linger another day, but details are uncertain as it is still over 5 days out. Overall, winds are looking pretty light even into the afternoon. 

 

Wednesday the 8th: 2-3 feet 

Just leftovers from the Labor Day weekend swell. Surf will still be rideable and fun for some select summer spots. Right now winds are looking fairly light, but things could change as it is still a week out.
 

– Jax Richards @jax6street


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