Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough run. The forecast shows a real block of flat, poor conditions for days on end. We've got a stretch from the 4th of September right through until the morning of the 18th of September where nothing is really worth a paddle. The wave energy is there, but the wind and the quality are just not playing ball. It's a long, quiet spell.

The first real glimmer of something half-decent pops up on the morning of Friday the 18th of September. We’re looking at a bit of a pulse from the NW, with swell heights around 6ft. The combined energy is moderate but strong-ish at 775, and it's coming from the NW. The wind is light from the NNW, keeping it a cross-shore breeze. The period is a short 8 seconds though, so it's not going to be the most powerful or well-shaped stuff. It's a marginal call, but it's the best chance we've had in a while.

That afternoon the swell sticks around at 6ft, the energy jumps up to a solid 1267, and the period stretches to 11 seconds. The wind picks up a bit from the north, but it's still cross-shore. This is looking like a slightly better chance for a few walls, but it's still a cross-shore breeze, so don't expect perfection.

The standout for this whole 16-day period is that Friday, the 18th of September. It's not a classic, but it's the only real window we've got. The swell is a solid 6ft from the NW, and while the period is a bit short in the morning, it gets a bit longer in the afternoon. The water is running at 53°F, which is a full 5°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll be wanting a thick wetsuit and booties. The wind is light, which is a big help, but it's not offshore. It's going to be a bit of a gamble, but if you're desperate for a wave, this is your shot.

Honestly, for the rest of the run, the wind is mostly a cross-shore breeze and the swell is inconsistent or small. There's a lot of "marginal" and "poor" in the data. The waves that do show up on the 18th are only really for the intermediate to advanced crew, as 6ft can be a handful for beginners. After that, it drops right back off again for the rest of the 19th.

So, if you're itching to get wet, pencil in Friday the 18th of September. Otherwise, it's a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a quiet period for the Cape.

Rusty.

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