Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. It’s been a bleak stretch around Cape Mendocino, and honestly, the next several days aren’t going to offer much for a surfer looking for a decent wave. The water temperature is sitting at 51°, which is a whopping 5° colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be needing a thick hood and boots just to think about getting out there.

The first week is a real write-off. The whole period is plagued by onshore or cross-shore winds, and the wave quality is consistently poor. We’re looking at a long, quiet gap with no real surf on offer from Wednesday the 15th right through to the end of the week. The swell is small and weak, with a messy cross-chop on the surface. The energy is moderate at best, with readings around 384 (weak energy) to 558 (moderate energy). It’s a tough run of nothing.

The only glimmer on the horizon is on Friday the 23rd of July. A morning pulse of 7 ft swell from the NW pops up, but it’s short period at just 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a disorganised, lumpy mess. The wind is still cross-shore, so it’s a marginal call at best, and honestly, that size and period combo is more likely to appeal to the kite crowd than us paddle surfers. The water is still running cold offshore breezes, so it’s a no-go for a clean session.

Looking further out, the second week shows a bit more life. The swell picks up again around Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th, with a solid 5 ft from the S and a 4 ft from the SW, both with decent periods. The energy jumps right up to 1930 (strong energy) and 2582 (very strong energy). But again, the wind is still cross-shore, keeping that lumpy texture on the face. The swell direction is from the S and SW, which isn’t ideal for the break’s optimum SW exposure, and the crowds are “sometimes” an issue, so you might have some company if you do go. It’s a promising but uncertain long-range outlook, so keep an eye on it.

The rest of the forecast into the 30th of July is just more of the same: cross-shore winds, poor surf, and moderate energy. Nothing to get excited about. It’s one of those runs where the ocean just doesn’t want to play ball.

Rusty.

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