Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for the Cape Mendocino area over the next 16 days. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a couple of windows to get excited about.

Right off the bat, the water is a shocker. We’re talking a current temperature of just 51°F with a massive 6°F anomaly below normal, meaning it’s much colder than usual for this time of year. So, don’t forget the thickest wetsuit you’ve got.

The first real chance to paddle out comes Monday morning, July 20th. The conditions are looking glassy with a slight whisper of wind from the WNW at 9 mph. That’s a major positive. You’ll find a 6 ft swell coming from the NW with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 792. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so it’s worth a look. The swell direction is SW optimum, and this NW is a bit off, but the glassy conditions will make it clean.

The afternoon of the 20th drops off to a 3 ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period. The energy jumps up a bit (881), but it switches to a light cross-onshore. Still, a long-period SW groundswell is exactly what this exposed break wants to see.

After that, the week turns into a bit of a write-off. From Tuesday the 21st right through until the end of the month, we are looking at persistent cross-shore winds, mostly from the N and NNW at 12 to 19 mph, with choppy, lumpy conditions. The swell heights hover around 2 ft to 4 ft, and the energy is moderate to low. The guidance calls it poor surf, so you’re better off taking a walk or fixing a ding. There’s a solid 10-day gap here with no real recommendations.

Now, if you’re looking for a standout, keep your eye on Saturday, July 26th. The morning shows a 4 ft SSW swell with a very long 19-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1308. This is a proper groundswell. The wind is still cross from the N at 16 mph, which is a shame, but the long-period swell will have plenty of power. Since it’s a fairly consistent exposed break, the shape could be there despite the chop. This is a point where the long-period swell hitting a point or reef setup would be ideal, but at an exposed beach it might close out a bit. It’s the best on offer in the second week, but it’s a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed for a wind shift.

The very end of the forecast on Friday, August 1st, and the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd, looks like another rough patch of strong winds and small, messy swell. Not much to get excited about there.

Overall, Monday the 20th is your best bet for clean conditions. Everything else is a gamble on the wind.

Rusty.

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