Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the Cape Mendocino area over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temperature is sitting pretty average for the time of year, so no shock to the system there. The swell energy is in the moderate range, ramping up and down, but the wind is the real story here. It's going to be a persistent cross-shore or cross-onshore flow for most of the period, which is going to mess with the surface texture. The one standout window is a brief, clean spell right in the middle of the week.

The best bet on offer is going to be Tuesday afternoon, July 21st. We've got a 3ft swell rolling in from the south-southwest with a long 15-second period, which will bring some decent energy with it. The real magic is that the wind will be glassy, completely calm. The wave energy is moderate (443), and with zero wind chop, it'll be the cleanest the place will look all outlook. It's not a huge swell, but for a quiet session on a fairly consistent spot like this, it is the obvious pick.

Wednesday morning, July 22nd, is the only other glimmer. We get a 3ft swell from the south, 12-second period, and again, glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (456). It's a hair more size than Tuesday and just as clean. This is a very close second, but the slightly longer period on Tuesday gives it a bit more shape.

For the rest of the week, it's a lot of cross-shore and cross-onshore winds lumping up the surface. The swell sticks around, with some moderate energy pushing through, but the wind is a constant problem. The size will bump up, especially around the 28th of July and into the 1st of August, with some swells hitting 6ft. But the wind is going to be cranking from the north-northwest at 19 mph, creating a lumpy, cross-chop. The energy gets high (2311 on the 28th morning), but the conditions are marginal. This is the kind of setup where the experienced crew might find something, but it's going to be a battle.

From the end of July through the first of August, the swell drops right off, and the energy fades into the weak zone. The last few days of the outlook are a total write-off with poor conditions and tiny waves. There's a solid gap of no real recommendations from the end of July.

So, keep your eyes on that Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd. That's your window for a truly clean, if not overly big, surf.

Rusty.

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