56th St Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s run it back in feet and degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s a slow start, I won’t lie to ya. From Saturday the 15th right through to Monday the 24th of August, 56th St is flat or junk. You’re looking at swell heights of 1 ft to 3 ft, with cross-onshore winds blowing 10 to 12 mph. It’s choppy, messy, and the wave energy is weak (472 on the scale). Every check says “poor surf conditions.” That’s a solid 10-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for.

The water is 71°, which is about 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s noticeably warm, but no surf to enjoy it in.

Finally, on Tuesday the 25th of August morning, a proper pulse arrives. Swell jumps to 5 ft from the SSE, with a 17-second period – that’s real groundswell energy. Combined energy hits 1867, which is strong. The wind is cross-onshore at 9 mph, so still a bit bumpy, but it’s the first real hope.

Wednesday the 26th morning is the standout. Swell from the S hits 6 ft, period 14 seconds, energy 1456, and wind is practically zero – just 3 mph straight onshore. That’ll be glassy. 6 ft is solid, not too big for most, but the long period means longer lulls between sets. On a beach break, those S swells can close out. Still, with that mirror-flat surface, this is the session to aim for. Crowds are possible – 56th St can get busy when it’s good.

Thursday the 27th drops to 6 ft, wind picks up to 9 mph cross-onshore, and energy falls to 1134. Surfable, but not as clean.

From Friday the 28th onward, it fades. Swell drops under 3 ft, with light wind but small waves. There’s a long-period 19-second swell on the 28th morning, but only 3 ft – too small to do much with.

Bottom line: Wednesday the 26th morning is the one to circle. Everything else is a long wait.

Rusty.

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