Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Wednesday – Shadowed Leftovers

The Swell
Wednesday will see a smaller shadowed version of the WNW swell (280-290) which will basically be a mix of the leftover energy from the weekend and some marginal energy from a steeper NW swell. Small SW swell will also hold in the background.



Waves
Looks like small surf on tap for Wednesday. Most spots will be in the knee-high range while the best long-period NW breaks and the well exposed combo spots, mostly near the Ventura County line, will be in the knee-waist high range…maybe a few waist high+ sets will show inconsistently throughout the day.

Winds
N-NE winds around 10-15 knots for the morning with some gusts hitting in the 20-25 knot range in the wind prone areas. NW winds around 10-12 knots develop for the afternoon and then back down slowly through the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/25/2009 Wed
04:55AM LST 4.3 H
11:01AM LST 2.6 L
04:03PM LST 3.4 H
10:23PM LST 1.4 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – The Weekend – Plenty of waves

The Swell
Saturday starts off with some new WNW-NW swell (280-300) starting to show early in the day but not getting a ton of new size on the beach for the morning. The WNW-NW builds in through Saturday afternoon and peaks throughout the day on Sunday. Small, much less consistent, SW energy (200-220) holds in the background.





Waves

Look for mostly smaller waves…lots of knee-waist high sets at the average spots early in the morning on Saturday. A few of the top breaks will see some chest high sets…and maybe a little more size as the first part of the new WNW-NW swell starts to arrive. This energy will fill in through the day and push waist-chest high+ surf in the average spots and some chest-head high sets at the standout breaks.

Sunday the WNW-NW peaks and we can expect consistent chest-shoulder high surf at the average exposed spots and some shoulder-head high+ waves during the bigger sets at the standout NW facing spots.

Winds
Mostly light winds Saturday morning but starting to increase out of the NW pretty early. Look for NW winds 10-14 knots by midmorning and gusts hitting 20 knots by the afternoon.

Sunday the winds will be light and variable to N-NE around 10-12 knots…depending on how exposed your spots are. Look for the usual onshore afternoon winds out of the NW 10-15 knots.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/21/2009 Sat
01:28AM LST 3.4 H
04:47AM LST 3.2 L
11:09AM LST 5.0 H
07:04PM LST 0.4 L

11/22/2009 Sun
02:40AM LST 3.5 H
05:51AM LST 3.4 L
11:56AM LST 4.6 H
07:57PM LST 0.7 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Friday – Still some fun ones

The Swell
The mix of WNW-NW swell (280-300 but with more energy in the 290-300 range) and some weak SW swell (200-220) will back down on Friday. Look for the biggest, most consistent surf through the morning and further shrinkage by the afternoon.



Waves

There will still be a few fun waves pushing through early on Friday. Most spots will back down to the knee-waist high range with some rare chest high sets on the morning tide push. Top spots will be in the waist-chest high range with some occasional chest-shoulder high sets before the tide gets to it. Expect smaller, less consistent, and likely bumpy surf on tap for the afternoon.

Winds
Look for light and variable winds through the morning…even a few pockets of light offshore in some areas. Increasing clouds and light/moderate NW winds 10-14 knots move in through the afternoon. Chance for some light showers later in the night.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/20/2009 Friday
12:24AM LST 3.4 H
04:06AM LST 3.0 L
10:30AM LST 5.5 H
06:14PM LST 0.1 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Thursday – WNW-NW swell peaks

The Swell
WNW-NW swell (280-300 but with most of the energy around 290-300) will peak on Thursday as it mixes with some background SW swell (200-220).



Waves

Look for most spots to be in the knee-waist high+ range tomorrow…with some less consistent chest high+ sets showing on either side of the high-tide peak. The top NW exposed spots, mostly down near the south end of the county, will be in the waist-shoulder high range with some plus sets sneaking through on the lower tides.

Winds
Look for N-NE winds around 10-15 knots with gusts getting into the 20 knot range at passes and canyons. Light winds below 10-12 knots are expected for the afternoon…with some onshore bump showing at the more wind prone spots.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/19/2009 Thursday
03:33AM LST 2.8 L
09:55AM LST 5.8 H
05:29PM LST -0.2 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Wednesday – Slowly building Surf…and some wind

The Swell
A new mix of WNW-NW swell (280-300 degrees but with the main push of energy around 290-300) will fill in throughout the day. Small SW swell (200-220) will also increase slightly in the background. Look for most spots to start small (and tide swamped) but expect more size to arrive as the swell fills in more in the afternoon.





Waves
The high tide and (mostly) lack of swell will keep the surf on the small side for the morning. The new WNW-NW energy will be filling in but I am not sure it will have enough pop to push through the morning tide. I expect most spots to hold around knee high for the dawn patrol…maybe a few knee-waist high mushballs at the standout spots.

By the afternoon the average WNW-NW facing spots will be in the waist-chest high range while the standout spots, mostly towards the south end of the county, will have some shoulder-head high sets…particularly on the lower tide.

Winds
Light N-NW winds early…mostly below 10-knots for the morning. Building NW winds 10-20+ knots will be on tap through the afternoon. One thing keeping an eye on…there might be a chance at improving winds close to sundown…one of the weather models thinks some N winds may crop up around the sundowner time…so cross your fingers, you might be able to score a few as the swell comes up.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/18/2009 Wednesday
03:01AM LST 2.6 L
09:22AM LST 6.1 H
04:47PM LST -0.5 L
11:30PM LST 3.6 H

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Tuesday – Holy flatness Batman!

The Swell
Small, almost completely depleted windswell will be leaking through on Tuesday.



Waves
Look for flat-ankle high surf at the average spots. Top windswell spots will be in the knee high range on the lower tides. High tide is going to work it…plan on doing something else midmorning.

Winds
Light to Moderate offshore (N-NE) winds in the 10-15+ knot range in the morning. Light W-NW winds 10-12 knots for the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/17/2009 Tuesday
02:30AM LST 2.3 L
08:50AM LST 6.4 H
04:07PM LST -0.7 L
10:42PM LST 3.7 H

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Monday – windswell leftovers

The Swell
Leftover WNW-NW windswell will be on tap for Monday morning…maybe a touch of NW energy at the really exposed spots, but it will mostly come in too steep for the region and will remain in the background.



Waves
Look for flat-ankle high surf at the average spots on Monday. Top windswell spots will be in the knee high range with a couple of knee-high+ sets on the lower tides. Morning high tide may flatten the surf across the region…try to avoid surfing as it peaks if you can.

Winds
Light to Moderate offshore (N-NE) winds in the 10-15+ knot range in the morning. Light W-NW winds 10-12 knots for the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/16/2009 Monday
01:58AM LST 2.1 L
08:18AM LST 6.5 H
03:28PM LST -0.8 L
09:56PM LST 3.9 H

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Weekend Waves – More windswell

The Swell
Steeply angled WNW-NW windswell will build into Santa Barbara on Saturday and then fade out slowly on Sunday.





Waves
Mostly small surf will be on tap over the weekend…look for some knee high or smaller waves at the average spots on Saturday along with some sloppy conditions as NW winds continue to push through the area. Top spots will be bigger, more in the knee-waist high+ range, but will likely be junkier thanks to more wind exposure.

Sunday the wave heights stay the same through the morning (but may mush out thanks to the early morning 6.5’ high tide)…conditions will be cleaner. Fading surf and switching onshore winds will be on tap through the afternoon.

Winds
Saturday look for NW winds 10-15 knots for the morning and NW winds 10-20+ knots on tap for the afternoon. Sunday will start off cleaner with variable N winds around 10-15 knots but the NW flow 10-15+ knots will return by the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/14/2009 Sat
12:51AM LST 1.4 L
07:16AM LST 6.3 H
02:08PM LST -0.4 L
08:22PM LST 4.1 H

11/15/2009 Sun
01:26AM LST 1.8 L
07:47AM LST 6.5 H
02:49PM LST -0.7 L
09:10PM LST 4.0 H

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Friday – Building windswell and winds

The Swell
New WNW-NW windswell builds in on Friday as winds push onshore. Not much of a surf day for most areas…this forecast makes me sad.



Waves
Even with the windswell filling in a bit it doesn’t look like much surf on tap for Friday. The average spots will hold in the knee high range with some waist high sets at the top NW facing breaks. Expect weak windswell shape with bumpy conditions thanks to increasing winds.

Winds
NW winds around 10-15 knots for the morning build to 10-20 knots by midmorning and 15-20+ knots by the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/13/2009 Friday
12:15AM LST 1.0 L
06:44AM LST 6.0 H
01:25PM LST 0.1 L
07:31PM LST 4.2 H

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Thursday – Looking a bit nasty

The Swell
Small mix of leftover NW swell and some local windswell. The windswell will build in slowly through the 2nd part of the day, eventually peaking overnight into Friday.



Waves
Not much surf on tap for Thursday…mostly flat-ankle high for the average spots during the morning (particularly since we hit a 5.6’ high tide). Top spots see some knee high surf with some rare waist high waves at the best high tide breaks. Look for a little more size, but with nasty conditions as the winds and windswell increase through the afternoon.

Winds
NW winds around 5-8 knots for the morning build to 10-15 knots by midmorning and 15-20+ knots by the afternoon. Scattered showers possible as well.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/12/2009 Thursday
06:11AM LST 5.6 H
12:39PM LST 0.7 L
06:34PM LST 4.3 H

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Wednesday – Midweek Leftovers

The Swell
Just leftover NW swell and a touch of new local NW windswell moving through on Wednesday.



Waves
Pretty weak overall…most spots will drop into the ankle-knee high range and will likely be almost unsurfable as the tide swings around. Top NW facing spots, again better as you move close to Ventura, will have some knee high+ sets on the lower tides…soft shape and probably best for a bigger board.

Winds
Mostly light and variable winds with just a few areas of minor texture for the morning. Look for some light/moderate W-WNW winds in the 10-12 knot range for the middle of the day and then lighter winds setting back up as we get close to sundown.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/11/2009 Wednesday
05:37AM LST 5.1 H
11:45AM LST 1.6 L
05:28PM LST 4.4 H
11:34PM LST 0.7 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Tuesday – Dropping but still surfable

The Swell
WNW-NW swell continues to back down while local W-NW windswell holds in the background.



Waves
Look for the average spots to back down to the knee-waist high range on Tuesday…mostly local windswell lines breaking close to the beach. Top NW facing breaks closer to Ventura will be in the knee-waist high range with some less consistent chest high peaks. Expect longer waits between waves as we move throughout the day.

Winds
Mostly light and variable winds with just a few areas of minor texture for the morning. Look for some light/moderate W-WNW winds in the 10-12 knot range for the middle of the day and then lighter winds setting back up as we get close to sundown.

Santa Barbara Tides
05:00AM LST 4.6 H
10:37AM LST 2.4 L
04:10PM LST 4.5 H
10:49PM LST 0.4 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Monday – Fading, but still a few rideable ones

The Swell
The WNW-NW swell (285-300+) that hit over the weekend will be fading out and turning a little more NW’erly in swell direction on Monday. Smaller local windswell will continue to hang in the background.



Waves
Average spots can expect surf to hold in the waist high range on Monday. The standout WNW-NW exposed spots, particularly as you get closer to Ventura, will be a little bigger and more consistent with surf in the waist-chest high range though I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few larger sets through the morning low tide.

Winds
Clean conditions on tap for Monday. Mostly light and variable winds with just a few areas of minor texture for the morning. Look for some light/moderate W-WNW winds in the 10-12 knot range for the middle of the day and then lighter winds setting back up as we get close to sundown.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/09/2009 Mon
04:15AM LST 4.1 H
09:03AM LST 3.1 L
02:40PM LST 4.7 H
09:55PM LST 0.2 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Weekend Waves – New NW swell peaks

The Swell
Saturday will start off with a mix of WNW energy (285-295) from the little pulse of swell that pushed in on Friday. The new NW swell (285-300) will begin wrapping into the area as we move through the day…the swell periods are initially pretty long (over 16-seconds) so the swell won’t show a ton of new size around SB proper...but we will have a few new waves showing at the top spots.



Sunday the NW’er (285-300+) will peak and bring more of the energy in the short-medium period bands, which has a much easier time making it to the Santa Barbara beaches…unfortunately the swell direction is pretty NW, so don’t expect a ton of size.



Waves
Saturday will see surf in the knee-waist high range for the average WNW-NW facing spots…and some chest high sets at the standout breaks through the morning. The building NW swell will start to increase size at the top spots by the afternoon and it looks like there should be some shoulder high+ sets showing before sundown.

Sunday the average spots will be in the waist-chest high range while the standout NW facing breaks will see more consistent chest-shoulder high waves…along with a few bigger shoulder-head high sets at the best breaks. Look for the biggest size through the morning and then a gradual fade as we head towards the end of the day.

Winds
Saturday will see N winds in the 10 knot range for the morning with some stronger gusts near the passes and canyons that end at the beach. Look for NW winds around 10-15 knots by the afternoon.

Sunday will be cleaner with NE winds around 10-14 knots for the morning. Winds shift around to the W-WSW by the afternoon but stay on the lighter side…it may stay rideable (not clean) through the afternoon but still expect some bump.

Santa Barbara Tides
11/07/2009 Saturday
01:51AM LST 3.4 H
05:21AM LST 3.1 L
11:52AM LST 5.7 H
07:45PM LST -0.2 L

11/08/2009 Sunday
03:14AM LST 3.7 H
07:02AM LST 3.3 L
01:08PM LST 5.1 H
08:53PM LST 0.1 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – A little more energy and maybe some texture

The Swell
New short-medium period WNW-NW energy (290-300) starts to push through on Friday…the main part of the energy is coming through around 290-300 but there is a little component, mostly of local windswell, that is coming through a little more westerly…right around 275-285…which is a much better angle for spots around SB.



Waves
Sizewise, since the swell is a little bigger and better angled, we can expect a few rideable waves starting to sneak in on the lower tides. Overall the average spots will be in the knee-high to knee-high+ range. Standout breaks, as you move closer to Ventura, will be in the knee-waist high range. It will feel mostly like weak/gutless windswell lines, but hey it is something to ride.

Winds
Winds may be an issue…looks like there is a chance at some funky westerly flow that could spin up for the morning. Generally winds should be light/variable, particularly if your spot has some protection but watch for that morning bump. NW winds around 10-15 knots will build through by the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
12:29AM LST 3.5 H
04:20AM LST 2.9 L
10:53AM LST 6.1 H
06:37PM LST -0.4 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – The Flatness Continues

The Swell
All swell activity will back down on Thursday…expect very weak local windswell and trace NW energy to filter through the best exposed beaches.



Waves
Unfortunately with the last of the swell dropping off, and the major tide peak still pushing through midmorning, we can expect flat conditions for most of the aveage-good spots. Standout breaks may see some ankle high lines on the lower tides but overall even those spots will not be very surfable.

Winds
Winds will be light, under 10-knots, in the morning with a slight E-SE flow to them. Conditions look the cleanest as you move down closer to Ventura. Expect building southerly winds…anywhere from ESE to SSW around 10-14 knots as a new cold front tries to spin through Socal later in the day.

Santa Barbara Tides
03:37AM LST 2.6 L
10:05AM LST 6.4 H
05:37PM LST -0.6 L

Santa Barbara Surf Forecast – Waves for Wednesday

The Swell
Santa Barbara will see a mix of heavily shadowed NW swell (290-300) and a weak local W-WNW windswell coming out of the channel.



Waves
Look for surf in the ankle-knee high range for most of the well exposed spots, mostly through South (East) County. Other lesser exposed spots will be flat or close to it. The high tide peak that rolls through around 9:30 will swamp out shape across the whole region.

Overall, since most of our semi-rideable surf is coming through as local windswell, shape is going to be soft and slow, even on the lower tides. Plan on sticking to the big boards.

Winds
Look for light and variable conditions early…but with a touch of onshore flow picking up by midmorning. Generally it will be clean but with a couple of pockets of texture building in at the really wind exposed areas. W-NW winds 10-15 knots build in through the afternoon.

Santa Barbara Tides
03:01AM LST 2.3 L
09:24AM LST 6.5 H
04:44PM LST -0.7 L
11:22PM LST 3.6 H