Up vs. Down
SURF:
It's been Ying and Yang around here this spring. Rain vs. sun. Clean vs. windy. East coast windswell vs. California groundswell. Occy vs. Curren. Looks the rain will exit tomorrow and we're back to May Gray- along with a new SW groundswell.
You've probably heard about the 'Code Red' swell in Tahiti earlier this week. We'll get some of that- but only a shell of it's former self. Buoys tonight are seeing new 20 second readings from the building swell and by tomorrow afternoon we should have shoulder high sets in N County SD with head high surf in the OC. By Saturday, the SW peaks with head high sets in N SD and overhead surf in the OC- along with a touch of NW windswell. Sunday has some fun leftover waves. And here are the tides, sunrise/sunset, and water temps for the next few days:
- Sunrise and sunset:
- 5:56 AM sunrise
- 7:35 PM sunset
- Water temps in So Cal are hanging on to 62 and surrounded by high 50's in the outer waters.
- And tides for this weekend:
- -1' at sunrise
- 3.5' late morning
- down to 1.5' late afternoon
- and up to 4' at sunset
FORECAST:
Good news is that we have more surf coming. Bad news is that there could be another weak front moving through next week. Winter just won't give up.
First up is more chest high NW on Monday/Tuesday from the cold front mentioned above.
Behind it is fun chest high S next Friday the 12th- and clean conditions?
If models are correct, we'll see chest high NW groundswell next weekend in SD too, then more chest high SW towards the 20th. What I'm hoping to see is less wind and more swells the next 10 days...
WEATHER:
Not the biggest storm today but still impressive to see a dusting of snow in the local mountains in May. Most spots along the coast received up to 1/4" and cool breezy conditions. High pressure is nowhere to be found unfortunately so look for more clouds this weekend and maybe more wind towards Tuesday (and showers)? THEN... maybe sun the 2nd half of next week. Here's a quick rundown on the next 7 days:
- Friday: Cloudy and cool. Temps 60/55
- Saturday: A touch of sun in the afternoon. Temps- see above.
- Sunday: see above
- Monday: see above
- Tuesday: More extensive clouds, breezy, & sprinkles? Temps (see above)
- Wednesday: Transition day. Temps (see above)
- Hopefully more sun towards Thursday through next weekend.
If anything changes between now and then, make sure to follow North County Surf on Twitter!
BEST BET:
Good SW Friday/Saturday or slightly smaller surf next week from a variety of sources.
NEWS OF THE WEEK:
Been more than enough June Gloom to start the spring. Or is it called Graypril in April? Or May Gray in.. well, you get the point. Whatever you call it, the common term is the 'marine layer'. So why is it so darn persistent this time of year? Would be nice to see some sun here and there. Here's the National Weather Service to explain:
We are in the thick of Graypril/May Gray, but have you ever wondered why it is so prevalent this time of year? Time for a little weather education. An area of high pressure becomes anchored over the eastern Pacific, creating (generally) prevailing northwest winds. Cool waters from the Gulf of Alaska pull cold water down the coast. Water temps are currently in the upper-50s in the outer waters and low 60s along the shoreline, quite chilly!
As the sun angle gets higher and seasonal temperatures increase, there is contrast between the cool, marine-influenced air near the surface & by the coast, versus the warmer temperatures inland & above the surface. This creates a temperature inversion.
When the air aloft is very hot, this creates a strong temp inversion, which essentially squishes the humid marine air, resulting in a shallow marine layer and clouds remain more confined to the coast. When the temperature inversion is weaker, clouds extend farther inland.
As we progress into the summer months, the ocean temperatures rise, resulting in warmer coastal temperatures. So, the inversion becomes weaker, and the low clouds and fog aren't quite as prevalent in July/August.
For this weekend, low clouds and patchy fog are expected each night and morning, but most areas away from the beaches should see clearing by late morning. We are definitely in the peak of marine layer season unfortunately. And if the darn El Nino would finally show up, we'd have less clouds!
We are in the thick of Graypril/May Gray, but have you ever wondered why it is so prevalent this time of year? Time for a little weather education. An area of high pressure becomes anchored over the eastern Pacific, creating (generally) prevailing northwest winds. Cool waters from the Gulf of Alaska pull cold water down the coast. Water temps are currently in the upper-50s in the outer waters and low 60s along the shoreline, quite chilly!
As the sun angle gets higher and seasonal temperatures increase, there is contrast between the cool, marine-influenced air near the surface & by the coast, versus the warmer temperatures inland & above the surface. This creates a temperature inversion.
When the air aloft is very hot, this creates a strong temp inversion, which essentially squishes the humid marine air, resulting in a shallow marine layer and clouds remain more confined to the coast. When the temperature inversion is weaker, clouds extend farther inland.
As we progress into the summer months, the ocean temperatures rise, resulting in warmer coastal temperatures. So, the inversion becomes weaker, and the low clouds and fog aren't quite as prevalent in July/August.
For this weekend, low clouds and patchy fog are expected each night and morning, but most areas away from the beaches should see clearing by late morning. We are definitely in the peak of marine layer season unfortunately. And if the darn El Nino would finally show up, we'd have less clouds!
BEST OF THE BLOG:
WANTED TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL OUR PLAYERS AND SPONSORS FOR NEXT FRIDAY'S CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT! Sponsored by our friends at Venture LLP, we're benefiting the Carlsbad Educational Foundation and are SOLD OUT for hole sponsorships and have just a couple spots available to play. So if you've been draggin' your feet and are looking for a good excuse to start the weekend off right as well as help your community, reach out ASAP to Rich Clark at rich@logicopy.com or Michael Glenn at northcountyboardmeeting@gmail.com. Thanks supporting the North County Board Meeting and we'll see you at Goat Hill next Friday, May 12th!
PIC OF THE WEEK:
Keep Surfing,
Michael W. Glenn
A Who's Who
May The 4th Be With Me
Only Surfer To Make The Covers of ESM, Zigzag, Surfing Life, Surfer, SW, Freesurf, Surfing, TransWorld Surf, Breakout, Stab, Heavywater, Tracks, Wavelength, and Water Magazines
Michael W. Glenn
A Who's Who
May The 4th Be With Me
Only Surfer To Make The Covers of ESM, Zigzag, Surfing Life, Surfer, SW, Freesurf, Surfing, TransWorld Surf, Breakout, Stab, Heavywater, Tracks, Wavelength, and Water Magazines
