Friday, April 6, 2012

THE Surf Report 4/6/12


Can't complain.

SURF:
Not a bad week of surf. After that absolute mess of a NW swell cleaned up last Monday, we were left with fun head high+ SW/NW combo most of the week and nice conditions.
Today the SW is pretty much gone and we had new NW windswell peak last night but there's still some head high sets in south county SD and shoulder high set waves in north county SD/OC. The weather looks good this weekend but that's about it unfortunately. Saturday the NW backs off even further with just chest high waves in south SD and Sunday looks like a groveller day. There's some fun surf lining up for next week but in the near term you may want to watch the Masters this weekend. Ouch.
Tides the next few days are 1' at sunrise, 5' mid-morning, 0' late afternoon, and back to 3' at sunset. Water is still a chilly 57 degrees. I thought winter was over? Make sure to keep up to date on the waves and weather this weekend at Twitter/North County Surf.

FORECAST:
After a nice weekend of weather and not so nice weekend of surf, we have a little background SW swell for Tuesday but only chest high sets in the OC. We also get a little bump from the NW too on Tuesday with shoulder high sets in SD.
The SW hangs around during the week and charts show a better NW for next weekend with head high sets. Nothing too exciting next week but there should be some small rideable waves if you hunt them down.

WEATHER:
Great weather on tap the next few days as high pressure is in control. Today temps will be in the high 60's then hit mid-70's on Saturday. Sunday is another nice day followed by great weather again Monday. Tuesday we have a weak front moving through for some low clouds/drizzle late in the day and again on Wednesday. Thursday looks to be partly cloudy and cool and models hint at rain for next weekend. Long story short- enjoy the great weather this holiday weekend.

BEST BET:
The weather may be a little cool and cloudy on Tuesday but we will have some waves from the NW and a smaller SW underneath. Nothing exciting but definitely better than this weekend.

NEWS OF THE WEEK:
We've had lots of active weather these past couple of months including high winds, hail, dumping rain, and waterspouts. Yes, waterspouts. But just what is a waterspout? Is it really a tornado on water? I'll let the experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explain: Waterspouts are similar to tornadoes over water and are broken into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.
Tornadic waterspouts are simply tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.
Fair Weather waterspouts are usually a less dangerous phenomena, but common over South Florida’s coastal waters from late spring to early fall. The term fair weather comes from the fact that this type of waterspout forms during fair and relatively calm weather, often during the early to mid morning and sometimes during the late afternoon. Fair weather waterspouts usually form along dark flat bases of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms whereas tornadic waterspouts develop in severe thunderstorms. Tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm while a fair weather waterspout begins to develop on the surface of the water and works its way upward. By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move little. If a waterspout moves onshore, the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning as some of them can cause significant damages and injuries to people. Typically, fair weather waterspouts dissipate rapidly when they make landfall, and rarely penetrate far inland.
The best way to avoid a waterspout is to move at a 90-degree angle to its apparent movement. Never move closer to investigate a waterspout. Some can be just as dangerous as tornadoes.
Waterspout Safety
•Listen for special marine warnings about waterspout sightings that are broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio.
•Watch the sky for certain types of clouds. In the summer, with light winds, look for a possible waterspout underneath a line of cumulus clouds with dark, flat bases. Anytime of the year, a thunderstorm or line of thunderstorms, can produce very intense waterspouts.
•If a waterspout is sighted, immediately head at a 90 degree angle from the apparent motion of the waterspout.
•Never try to navigate through a waterspout. Although waterspouts are usually weaker than tornadoes, they can still produce significant damage to you and your boat.

BEST OF THE BLOG:
I'm over the cold water. And the cold air. Time for a tropical trip. Check out the blog this week for deals on boarding planes, boardshorts, boards, and boardbags. And of course the mid-week Surf Check and a more in-depth THE Surf Report. Check it out in the blog below!

PIC OF THE WEEK:
Another Pic of the Week from famed surf photographer Sean Davey. I guess though when you live in and around Oz, Tasmania, and Kiwi country, then it's not hard to find good empty surf to shoot. Think I'll look into a work visa. Check out more of Sean's work here.

Keep Surfing,

Michael W. Glenn
Affable
The Easter Bunny
'81 Bells Runner On My Twin Fin+1