Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Tuesday 17 Feb 2026 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
12.5° C
(Which is 1.3°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:

The surf forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 12 days are 6.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 22) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Feb 21) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 18th Feb)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 18th Feb)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sun 22nd Feb)20ft (6.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Wed night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 58mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SE on Sat night, moderate winds from the S by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tue
24
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
!
!
0
!
3
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4.5
WNW
4.5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
3.5
NW
4
NW
3
NW
1.8
NW
1.3
WNW
0.9
WNW
3
S
3.5
S
6
S
4
SSW
4
SSW
3
SW
2.1
NW
1.8
NW
2.1
SW
4.5
WSW
4.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)1313131210111010109891110109131291112
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)660266394921209520684067200862232212193021268187304327891708138797669044825845
Wind
(km/h)
25
NW
15
N
5
W
30
S
25
N
35
NNW
10
NNE
15
SSE
25
SSE
40
SE
45
SE
55
SSE
65
SE
45
S
35
SSW
50
SSW
30
SW
25
S
30
S
10
S
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crossoncrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:55PM
1.58
11:18AM
1.77
12:21AM
1.65
12:04PM
1.66
12:50AM
1.72
12:56PM
1.52
1:21AM
1.78
1:56PM
1.36
1:58AM
1.81
3:11PM
1.21
2:42AM
1.83
4:49PM
1.13
3:36AM
1.82
6:36PM
1.16
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:38AM
0.59
6:02PM
-0.01
6:20AM
0.47
6:34PM
0.12
7:07AM
0.35
7:09PM
0.28
7:59AM
0.25
7:46PM
0.48
8:59AM
0.17
8:29PM
0.68
10:07AM
0.11
9:25PM
0.86
11:24AM
0.04
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tue
24
Sunrise-7:07--7:05--7:03--7:03--7:01--7:00--6:58-
Sunset--5:55--5:57--5:58--5:59--6:00--6:00--6:02
rain showers
light rain
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
Rain (mm)
81-2122---1--3425151-61-
Temp. °C78878868981212121211121212111212
Feels °C (?)04510-1133-211-124366399
  • 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 Cape Mendocino Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cape Mendocino provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Cape Mendocino can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cape Mendocino 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 (Cape Mendocino) 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 Cape Mendocino 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.

Cape Mendocino is 47 km (29 miles) from Eureka. If you plan a vacation in Humboldt County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Eureka. Eureka has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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