Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Well, I gotta be straight with you – it’s gonna be a tough stretch. The forecast for Empty Lots is a real heartbreaker. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but it’s almost all a write-off. The wind is a constant problem, coming in cross-shore from the east and east-northeast, which is just going to chop everything up. We’re looking at moderate to fresh breezes, turning into a strong breeze later on, and that’s a recipe for messy, lumpy conditions. There’s a big gap from the start, with no real surf on offer for the first few days.

The first tiny glimmer shows up on Monday, August 10th, with a marginal call for the afternoon. The swell is a paltry 2 ft from the SSW, with a period of 15s. That’s a long-period groundswell, which is good for shape, but the energy reading is moderate at 624 and the wind is still ruining it. The water temperature is sitting at a warm 81° and is about average for the time of year.

Things get a bit more interesting around Wednesday, August 12th, when the swell bumps up to 3 ft from the south, with a period of 18s and a strong wave energy of 1014. But again, it’s a tease. The wind is still a fresh cross-shore, making it poor surf. The real kicker comes from Saturday, August 15th, through Tuesday, August 18th. The swell gets serious, pushing 8 ft to 8 ft from the east and east-northeast. This is only for experts, and the energy readings are massive – hitting 1180 on the 16th. But the wind is just relentless, howling cross-shore at 22 to 25 mph. This setup is so wind-affected, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. For a reef break that needs clean conditions, a constant cross-chop is a nightmare.

The one and only possible standout is a long shot. On Thursday, August 20th, the wind eases a touch to a moderate breeze, and we get a clean 2 ft swell from the southwest with a 16s period. The energy is moderate at 539. It’s not big, but it’s the cleanest it’s going to get. The break is fairly consistent, but it’s an advanced reef break and crowds are sometimes a problem. For a slim chance at a clean, long-period wave, this is the only window. Don’t get your hopes up though.

So, to sum it up: a long, frustrating blank run. Most days are just poor conditions. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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