Big River surfForecast / CAL – Mendocino County / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Friday 12 Dec 2025 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Big River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Big River sea temperature is
13.1° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big River this week:

The surf forecast for Big River over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big River in the next 12 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 13th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 16th Dec)7ft (2.2m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 18th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big River over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Fri
19
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
1
2
1
1
0
1
3
2
0
3
3
3
4
2
0
4
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.1
WNW
0.9
W
0.9
W
0.9
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.7
W
2
W
2
W
1.9
W
2.3
W
2.2
W
1.9
W
2.1
WNW
1.8
W
1.6
NW
3
W
1.9
W
2.1
NW
Period(s) (?)1212121211101098121111111212121112111011
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)66636834322419217215110168111796982613711344972117777676121166961107
Wind
(km/h)
5
ESE
5
SE
5
NNW
5
E
5
ESE
0
E
0
SE
5
SSE
0
WNW
5
NE
10
SSE
20
SSW
10
SW
20
NW
20
NNW
5
ENE
20
SE
35
SSE
10
ESE
20
NW
25
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crossglassglasscross-
off
glassglasscrossglassglasscross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:17AM
1.72
6:57PM
1.15
6:53AM
1.76
8:17PM
1.15
7:26AM
1.80
9:25PM
1.19
7:58AM
1.83
10:18PM
1.24
8:31AM
1.86
11:03PM
1.28
9:05AM
1.88
11:41PM
1.31
9:40AM
1.89
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:19PM
0.46
1:04PM
0.46
12:04AM
0.62
1:57PM
0.29
12:49AM
0.77
2:41PM
0.15
1:32AM
0.87
3:20PM
0.03
2:15AM
0.95
3:56PM
-0.06
2:56AM
0.99
4:31PM
-0.12
3:35AM
1.01
5:06PM
-0.15
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Fri
19
Sunrise-7:26--7:26--7:26--7:28--7:28--7:28--7:30-
Sunset--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:53
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----------743---115321-
Temp. °C1214131316131617181616151411109912121211
Feels °C (?)10101110131212131615161312656481185
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Big River Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Big River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Big River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big River surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Big River) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Big River may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Big River is 54 km (34 miles) from Ukiah. If you plan a vacation in Mendocino County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ukiah. Ukiah has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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