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Surf Forecasts:
Big River surfForecast / CAL – Mendocino County / USA
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
11.6° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)Big River surf forecast from 28 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 27 May, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 29 May, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, NW swell with 2,708 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 27 May, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with NW swell.
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 Wednesday (May 27) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 22s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 27th May) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 27th May) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 29th May) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big River over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 27 | Thursday 28 | Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
NW 11 | NW 10 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | NW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | |
2283 | 1391 | 1901 | 2215 | 2359 | 2626 | 1484 | 734 | 678 | 1368 | 794 | 1336 | 1464 | 1137 | 665 | 846 | 742 | 559 | 539 | 525 | 425 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | |
High Tide | 9:21PM1.74m | 11:01AM1.13m | 9:51PM1.76m | 11:51AM1.15m | 10:22PM1.77m | 12:36PM1.17m | 10:53PM1.77m | 1:18PM1.18m | 11:26PM1.75m | 1:59PM1.19m | 00:01AM1.73m | 2:41PM1.19m | 00:37AM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:21PM0.85m | 6:50AM-0.25m | 5:57PM0.87m | 7:28AM-0.23m | 6:36PM0.90m | 8:06AM-0.20m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | |
8:30 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:36 | — | 8:37 | |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 |
10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | NW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SSW 14 | WNW 11 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | NW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
2283 | 1391 | 948 | 2215 | 2359 | 2626 | 1484 | 734 | 534 | 107 | 393 | 511 | 500 | 485 | 665 | 659 | 742 | 559 | 539 | 525 | 425 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | WNW 21 | WNW 18 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NNW 9 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | S 12 | SW 22 | SSW 22 | W 12 |
236 | 882 | 1901 | 668 | 328 | 145 | 156 | 110 | 104 | 54 | 185 | 32 | 102 | 153 | 227 | 84 | 133 | 3 | 18 | 45 | 146 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 24 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — | S 21 | S 26 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | S 13 | S 14 | S 15 | S 12 | S 14 | SSW 19 |
54 | 236 | 156 | 149 | 145 | — | 9 | 13 | 37 | 34 | 69 | — | 32 | 33 | 623 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 214 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | 398 | 280 | 531 | 678 | 1368 | 794 | 1336 | 1464 | 1137 | 634 | 846 | 539 | 410 | 366 | 171 | 94 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 7 | 54 | 209 | 0 | 129 | 183 | 0 | 202 | 304 | 59 | 160 | 304 | 0 | 160 | 59 | 0 | 129 | 277 | 0 | 277 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Mendocino County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.












