Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s coming up.

Honestly, right out of the gate, it’s pretty grim. There’s a solid run of poor surf conditions lasting all through the first week and into the middle of the following week. The wind is a constant problem, mostly a fresh cross-shore breeze howling at 19 mph, turning the ocean into lumpy cross-chop. The water is also *much* colder than normal at 52°F – that’s a huge anomaly of -5°F, so you’ll be wanting the thickest wetsuit you’ve got.

The first real glimmer of something rideable shows up on Saturday, the 15th of August. Cape Mendocino starts to see a modest bump in swell, about 3 ft from the SSW, with a solid 16-second period. The wind finally eases to a light breeze, but it’s still cross-onshore, so it’s only marginal. The combined energy climbs to 633 (moderate), but it’s not a standout.

The best of the whole outlook comes on Wednesday the 19th. We get a proper pulse of WNW groundswell, pushing 6 ft with a period of 12 seconds. The energy jumps right up to 1291 (strong). The wind is cross-shore but only a gentle to moderate breeze, so it won’t be completely trashed. This is the pick of the fortnight – it has size and some push, but that 6 ft is getting into expert territory for the average punter, especially at a fairly consistent spot like Cape Mendocino. It’s a point break setup, so that long-period swell should wrap in nicely.

After that, it fades back into mediocrity. Thursday the 20th holds some size around 5 ft from the WNW, but the wind picks up again and the period drops off. By the weekend of the 22nd, it’s back to poor conditions and choppy mess.

If you’re a kiter, those early days with 19 mph cross-shore winds and lumpy sea state look far more interesting than they do for a paddle surfer. For the rest of us, aim for that Wednesday the 19th and hope the forecast holds.

Rusty.

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