Elwha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks are serving up for us.

Honestly, it’s a bit of a grim stretch ahead. We’re looking at a long, flat spell with nothing worth paddling out for until the very end of the window. The first real glimmer of hope doesn't show up until the 18th, so we're talking about a solid ten days of poor surf conditions to get through. It’s going to be a test of patience.

The only break on the menu is Elwha, a sheltered river mouth. The water is sitting at a chilly 52°, which is a whopping 6° colder than normal for this time of year. That’s seriously unusual, so you’ll want a thick suit and booties if you’re even thinking about it.

For the first week, from the 4th through to the 17th, it’s a non-stop run of tiny, weak swell. We're talking knee-high stuff at best, with combined swell energy barely cracking 100 (in the 50-146 range). The odd glassy morning pops up, like Saturday afternoon the 5th or the morning of the 16th, but the waves are just too small and gutless to do anything with. There are a few longer-period swells (up to 14 seconds) in there, but with so little height, they’re just not wrapping in with any power.

The one and only standout comes right at the end. On Saturday the 19th, during the afternoon, the forecast shows a pulse of energy rolling in. We're looking at 4ft of swell coming from the WSW with a solid 11-second period. That combined energy jumps right up to 409, which is the most we’ll see in the whole forecast. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it’ll be a little bumpy, but that’s the best you’re going to get. It’s still only a marginal call due to the wind, but if you’re desperate for a wave, that’s your window. Keep in mind it’s a river break, and a longer-period swell can sometimes make the waves a bit shifty.

So there you have it. A whole lot of nothing, then a small but spicy window on the 19th. Don't hold your breath for anything before that.

Rusty.

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