55th Street Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight: this is a tough stretch for the 55th Street Pier. The whole 16-day window is a flat spell with barely a ripple to get excited about. All the scores are zero, every session is labeled “poor surf conditions,” and the combined wave energy never breaks out of the weak range – topping out at a measly 64 (weak) on Wednesday, July 8. That’s just not enough to push a rideable wave.

Monday July 6 kicks off with a risk of thunderstorms, a 2 ft to 2 ft south swell, and a cross-shore breeze. The period is short – only 5 seconds – so the waves will be weak and crumbly. The combined energy is just 20 to 27 (weak). Not worth paddling out.

Tuesday July 7 sees a tiny increase to 2 ft to 3 ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore with a short 4-second period, making for a choppy mess. Energy stays weak at 43 to 49.

Wednesday July 8 is the best of a bad bunch with a 3 ft east-northeast swell and a slightly longer 6-second period. Still, the cross-onshore wind keeps things messy, and energy peaks at only 64 (weak). Not a surfer’s wave.

From Thursday July 9 through the end of the period, the swell drops to 0.3 ft to 2 ft. Even when we get a clean, offshore wind on some mornings (like Friday July 10 with a 1 ft swell from the southeast, 10-second period, and a light WSW offshore), the energy is pitiful – 24 (weak). There’s a glassy moment on Friday July 17 morning with 0.7 ft at 7 seconds and no wind, but again, no push.

What’s happening here is a classic blank run for a beach/jetty spot that needs some decent groundswell. The wave energy stays in the weak double-digit zone the whole time – never reaching even 100. With the small size and short periods, combined with mostly cross or onshore winds, the paddle-out might be easy, but the ride won’t exist.

There’s a small flicker on Friday July 10 morning: a clean, offshore wind from the west-southwest at 6 mph and a 1 ft swell from the southeast with a 10-second period. The combined energy is 24 (weak). It’s not surfable for a proper ride, but if you’re desperate, you could maybe catch a knee-high nothing. Still, I wouldn’t call it a standout – we’ve got nothing to work with.

So, bottom line: save your wax and your energy. The 55th Street Pier is a no-go for the next two weeks. The water temp anomaly isn’t provided, so I can’t tell you if it’s warmer or colder than usual – but it doesn’t matter much when there’s no surf. Forecasts can change, and it tends not to stay this flat forever, but right now, it’s a heartbreaking flat spell. Stay tuned, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty

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