THE Surf Report

Winter's on auto-pilot.

SURF:
If you liked last week and the week before and the week before that then you're going to love this week and next week. Seems as though winter is on auto-pilot. We had junky conditions a few days ago and solid NW swell, then the weather cleaned up and now we have dropping but fun head high+ surf today with bigger sets in SD. The OC has some shoulder high waves too.

Currently the wind is W at 8 this afternoon and we'll have clean conditions again tomorrow. Tomorrow morning is about chest high around town and then as luck would have it, we have another solid NW swell for late Saturday into Sunday and as luck would have it, another round of showers. Nothing too strong, but our streak continues.

Tides the next few days are about 5' at sunrise, up to 6' at 9am, and dropping like a rock to -1' at sunset. Water temps are chilly 58. Make sure to keep up to date on the waves/weather at Twitter/North County Surf.

FORECAST:

After the good NW this weekend, we get a reinforcement out of the NW late Tuesday. This looks to be overhead in north county SD and 10' sets for SD. The OC should have some shoulder high waves too. That lasts into Thursday.

The southern hemisphere had a little action yesterday and the OC may have some chest high sets from the SW towards mid-week. After that things start to wind down towards next weekend. 

WEATHER:

Beautiful conditions today and tomorrow then we get another round of showers on Sunday. Nothing big- probably 1/4" at most and some light S winds. That cleans up on Monday and Tuesday/Wednesday looks to have some cold offshore wind conditions around here. Models then hint at showers again towards next weekend but there's a lot of uncertainty with the forecast at that point. Regardless, the weather looks to be off and on like it has been the past few weeks.

BEST BET:
Once that new solid NW shows towards Wednesday and the offshores deliver, could be darn good around here.

NEWS OF THE WEEK:

One new story that slipped under the radar was the federal fisheries experts this past fall said petitions to list white sharks as threatened or endangered contained substantial scientific information that warranted an in-depth review. The agency will study the possibility of protecting white sharks under the federal Endangered Species Act, with a decision expected in June 2013. NOAA said in a statement a status review team of federal scientists will be assembled to assess the best available scientific and commercial information concerning the population structure, biological status, and threats facing great white sharks in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Last fall’s announcement was in response to formal requests by conservation groups Oceana, the Center for Biological Diversity, Shark Stewards and WildEarth Guardians to assess the status of white sharks off the West Coast. The petitions were based on recent studies that showed that population is genetically distinct and may include just a few hundred adults and near-adults. Some scientists have said the numbers don’t necessarily mean the species is imperiled. If NOAA determines they need federal protections, that could lead to restrictions designed to minimize incidental take of white sharks by fishing gear. Conservationists praised NMFS “for recognizing the new science documenting the perils facing this unique population of great white sharks.” “Great white sharks are incredible species that have survived for eons along the West Coast. Sadly, they’re in deep trouble right now, so we’re glad to see them a step closer to getting the help they need to survive,” said Miyoko Sakashita, oceans program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. A similar petition for protecting sharks in California waters is pending at the state level. Considering the proliferation of camera phones the past 10 years, it seems like we've seen more great whites than ever (i.e. off of L.A., the fatal attack in Solana Beach, the family of whites off San Onofre, etc). I guess we were wrong.

BEST OF THE BLOG:

Didn't get what you wanted for Christmas? Just boxes of Sees Candies, Starbucks Cards, and socks? Then head to Surfy Surfy this weekend and pick up what you really wanted- a surfing monkey. All the rage in yards this year. Flamingos and garden gnomes are so 1970. Check out the gifts you didn't get on the North County Surf blog. And of course a mid-week Surf Check and an in-depth THE Surf Report - all of that and more in the blog below.

PIC OF THE WEEK:

I thought we needed a 'White Christmas' Pic of the Week. It is the holidays, isn't it? Hope Santa brought you a 6/5/4 and a good set of booties/gloves/hood.

Keep Surfing,

Michael W. Glenn
Executive Producer
Next Jets Quarterback
In The Latest Polo Ad With Buzzy