Big River surfForecast / CAL – Mendocino County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Thursday 21 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
9.1° C
(Which is 3.1°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 Friday (May 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big River in the next 16 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (May 25) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 22nd May)6ft (1.9m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 27th May)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 26th May)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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 Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon).

Thu
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
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
2
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
3
2
2
3
2
0
4
3
2
2
3
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)
2
NW
9
1.9
NW
9
2.3
NW
10
2.2
NW
10
2
NW
9
1.5
NW
8
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.9
NW
16
1.1
NW
15
1.2
NW
14
1.4
WNW
13
1
SSW
17
2.1
NW
12
3.5
NW
13
4.5
NW
13
4
NW
13
4
NW
12
4.5
NW
10
3.5
NW
10
3.5
NW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
651
619
1026
887
612
284
258
258
376
496
540
640
550
1357
3844
7123
5632
4142
4853
2550
2033
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
5
NE
15
SW
5
WSW
5
S
15
SW
10
WSW
5
S
15
SW
15
SW
10
ESE
10
WSW
15
NW
20
NNW
30
NW
45
NW
20
N
25
NNW
45
NNW
25
NNW
35
NNW
cross
glassy
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:11PM1.34m
3:36AM1.59m
6:06PM1.40m
4:52AM1.41m
6:55PM1.49m
6:15AM1.25m
7:38PM1.57m
7:39AM1.15m
8:16PM1.65m
8:56AM1.11m
8:50PM1.70m
10:03AM1.11m
9:21PM1.74m
11:01AM1.13m
Low Tide
9:53PM0.81m
10:52AM-0.21m
11:21PM0.73m
11:48AM-0.05m
00:45AM0.59m
12:40PM0.12m
1:57AM0.41m
1:28PM0.27m
2:55AM0.22m
2:12PM0.42m
3:43AM0.05m
2:54PM0.56m
4:25AM-0.08m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:25
8:27
8:28
8:29
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:31
Temp °C
13
11
12
12
10
11
11
10
10
11
10
11
12
11
12
13
12
12
12
12
12
10
10
10
9
9
10
8
10
9
8
9
9
10
9
6
5
4
7
4
4
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
NW
9
1.9
NW
9
2.3
NW
10
2.2
NW
10
2
NW
9
1.5
NW
8
1.2
NW
8
0.9
NW
7
0.9
NW
16
1.1
NW
15
1.2
NW
14
1.4
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
WNW
21
1.7
WNW
18
Energy kJ
651
619
1026
887
612
284
187
91
376
496
540
640
466
556
463
353
348
239
236
712
1987
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
11
1.1
NW
11
0.6
SSW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.7
NW
11
0.8
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.9
NW
8
0.9
NW
8
0.7
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
1
SSW
17
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.1
NW
24
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
Energy kJ
207
258
209
154
115
125
122
117
88
93
188
353
550
8
8
8
22
163
115
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
WNW
9
0.7
SW
16
0.6
NW
7
0.5
NW
7
0.4
NW
7
0.3
S
10
Energy kJ
113
115
109
109
109
201
258
258
98
251
44
23
15
16
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
S
12
0.6
S
4
2.1
NW
12
3.5
NW
13
4.5
NW
13
4
NW
13
4
NW
12
4.5
NW
10
3.5
NW
10
3.5
NW
9
Energy kJ
72
11
1357
3844
7123
5632
4142
4853
2550
2033
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
2
1
4
4
3
4
3
Distance (km)
39
0
57
54
7
57
19
19
85
36
0
46
209
59
766
305
97
183
304
190
304
Best forecast wave conditions in Mendocino County
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
6
2
2
7
4
3
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
5
4
8
5
6
5
5
4
4
4
6
5
6
9
6
5
9
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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