Mild Temps and Onshore Flow Next Workweek | Socal Weekly Forecast

Overview

2/18/22 – 2/24/22: Not the best week of surf on the way, but there will still be a few opportunities to get some fun surf through the forecast. The best day of the week will be Friday the 18th as a long period WNW swell tops out. This swell was from a distant storm in the North Pacific, so it will be a tad selective for breaks that don’t receive WNW swells. Over the weekend it will be smaller, but leftover swell will result in a few fun waves at top winter breaks.

To start off the workweek, Monday the 21st will pulse up as a fresh NW windswell fills in. This NW windswell energy will hold to slightly ease from Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd. Not a whole lot of south swell in the mix this week, but there should be some rideable surf for top summer breaks.

The weekend will start off with pretty mild temperatures and sunny skies. As we head into the workweek, temperatures are expected to drop well below average for this time of year. This will be due to a large trough of low pressure over the Western United states, which will also bring breezy onshore winds to the region. Unfortunately this period of troughing doesn’t look to have a lot of moisture with it. That being said there is still a slight chance of showers from Tuesday the 22nd to Wednesday the 23rd. Localized amounts could be greater depending on the track of the low.

Best Bets

– Friday the 18th will be one of the better days in the week as long period WNW swell tops out.

– Smaller surf is expected for the weekend, but morning winds will be light.

– Bigger NW windswell pulses up early in the week along with strong onshore winds.

Day to Day Breakdown

Friday the 18th: 2-4 feet
A fun morning to be had as a mid-sized long period WNW tops out, showing as the dominant swell in the water for most breaks. Some secondary smaller NW swell will be in the mix as well as background Southern Hemi. Target the morning before afternoon onshores pick up.

Saturday the 19th: 2-3+ feet
A drop in size as WNW energy comes down. Should still be a fun morning with the mix of swells and light morning winds. Best window will be the early morning tide push, and somewhere that receives WNW swell.

Sunday the 20th: 2-3+ feet
Similar size to Saturday as leftover swell shows along with a new small NW swell. Morning winds don’t look ideal, but will still be pretty light. One more day of clean surf before a few days of onshore flow.

Monday the 21st: 3-5 feet
Looking like the biggest day of the forecast as a decent sized NW windswell builds through the day. Not a whole lot of opportunity expected this day though, as most breaks will be dealing with onshore flow much of the day.

Tuesday the 22nd: 3-4+ feet
Continued pulse of NW windswell drops off a tad, but may pick back up later in the day. Unfortunately more onshore flow is expected. It is looking windier than Monday as west wind blows through. Slight chance of showers later in the day.

Wednesday the 23rd: 2-4 feet
NW windswell is expected to be on the decline, as strong NW winds off the coast look to let up. This energy will show best size in the morning before tapering off through the day. A few model runs have shown conditions cleaning up for the morning, so there may be a window there. A cold morning is expected too.

Thursday the 24th: 2-3 feet
The low pressure system is expected to exit the region and favorable conditions may return, but there may not be much surf left. Only a small mix of NW and south swells is expected. Another pretty cold morning is in store as well. It may be worth breaking out the booties!

Long Range Forecast

Although it’s been a bit slow this February, there have still been some fun days here and there. The good news is that there haven’t been any total flat spells, and that looks to continue for the foreseeable future. No major swells are on the horizon, but expect small to mid sized surf to continue, similar to the last few weeks. Not the best news for precipitation during one of our wettest months of the year, but a cooler pattern looks to settle in, compared to the temperatures we had for the first half of the month.

– Jax Richards @jax6street