Big River surfForecast / CAL – Mendocino County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Sunday 24 May 2026 PDT
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
10.8° C
(Which is 1.5°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big River this week:

The surf forecast for Big River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big River in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 25th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 26th May)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 26th May)13ft (4.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big River over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sat morning).

Sun
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
1
3
3
4
4
3
2
4
2
3
4
2
2
2
0
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
NW
15
1.3
WNW
14
1.4
WNW
13
1
SSW
17
2.2
NW
15
4
NW
14
4
NW
14
4
NW
13
3.5
NW
12
3.5
NW
11
3
NW
10
1.7
WNW
18
2
WNW
17
2.2
WNW
16
2.1
WNW
14
2
WNW
14
1.5
WNW
13
2.1
NW
8
3
NW
8
2.5
NW
7
2.2
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
496
617
640
550
2083
5810
6587
5303
3563
3040
1404
1901
2215
2359
1835
1560
784
499
1182
658
559
Wind (km/h)
10
W
5
ESE
15
WSW
10
WNW
25
NNW
15
NW
25
NW
25
NNW
20
NNW
30
NW
10
NNW
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
NNW
20
NW
30
NW
20
NNW
35
NW
45
NW
30
NNW
25
NW
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:38PM1.57m
7:39AM1.15m
8:16PM1.65m
8:56AM1.11m
8:50PM1.70m
10:03AM1.11m
9:21PM1.74m
11:01AM1.13m
9:51PM1.76m
11:51AM1.15m
10:22PM1.77m
12:36PM1.17m
10:53PM1.77m
1:18PM1.18m
Low Tide
1:57AM0.41m
1:28PM0.27m
2:55AM0.22m
2:12PM0.42m
3:43AM0.05m
2:54PM0.56m
4:25AM-0.08m
3:32PM0.67m
5:03AM-0.17m
4:09PM0.75m
5:39AM-0.23m
4:45PM0.81m
6:14AM-0.25m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:29
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:31
8:32
8:34
8:34
Temp °C
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
11
13
12
12
12
12
10
12
12
11
11
12
11
11
9
10
9
9
11
8
8
6
8
6
7
10
10
7
8
7
6
4
4
3
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
NW
15
1.3
WNW
14
1.4
WNW
13
1.2
WNW
12
2.2
NW
15
4
NW
14
4
NW
14
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
1
WNW
21
2.3
NW
9
2
WNW
17
2.2
WNW
16
2.1
WNW
14
2
WNW
14
1.5
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
0.5
SSW
14
0.9
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
Energy kJ
496
617
640
403
2083
5810
6587
429
239
236
899
853
2215
2359
1835
1560
784
458
107
200
186
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NW
8
0.7
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.2
WNW
24
0.8
SSW
14
1.7
WNW
18
1.9
NW
9
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
24
0.4
SSW
22
0.8
SSW
21
Energy kJ
84
188
353
550
556
429
435
54
236
1901
580
145
104
113
111
105
54
183
511
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
WNW
9
0.6
NW
7
0.4
NNW
7
0.4
NW
6
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.3
NW
11
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
26
0.2
SSW
19
0.2
SSW
19
0.4
SSW
13
0.3
SSW
13
Energy kJ
108
42
19
10
8
7
156
149
19
9
13
37
34
69
32
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
NW
6
4
NW
13
3.5
NW
12
3.5
NW
11
3
NW
10
1.7
NW
8
1.3
NW
7
1.8
NW
6
2
NW
7
2.1
NW
8
3
NW
8
2.5
NW
7
2.2
NW
8
Energy kJ
123
5303
3563
3040
1404
380
184
255
337
499
1182
658
559
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
4
5
3
4
4
1
4
4
4
4
4
2
3
3
2
3
3
Distance (km)
279
0
648
82
59
84
981
100
183
305
0
57
23
0
129
303
59
215
647
59
202
Best forecast wave conditions in Mendocino County
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
4
9
9
3
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
9
9
7
6
7
7
7
9
9
6
5
5
5
7
7
5
7
  • 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 16 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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