Fortress Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.02° N 71.96° W

Fortress Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Fortress sea temperature is
22.5° C
0.6° 

Fortress surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Fortress surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, S swell with 184 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with SSE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fortress this week:

The surf forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Tue 18th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 24th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 6s
Most Powerful11PM (Mon 24th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for any real waves around here. We've got a long stretch of weak, short-period swell and less-than-ideal winds. It's going to be a test of patience.

We kick things off with nothing worthwhile on Tuesday and Wednesday. The swell is tiny and the wind is all over the place. You'd be wasting your time. Thursday and Friday are in the same boat, just small, messy, onshore slop. We're looking at a solid five days of nothing good.

Finally, towards the end of the first week, the model hints at a little bump of energy. On Monday the 24th, we see the swell start to pick up a touch with a clean morning and light offshore winds. The energy is still weak (132), but at least it's surfable. However, the real standout in this first stretch is Tuesday morning, August 25th. The swell pushes up to 4ft from the SSW with light offshore winds. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 284, and the forecast is calling for clean conditions. This is our first real chance for a decent session this week. The period is still short, but beggars can't be choosers.

After that, Wednesday through Thursday turns into a write-off again. Strong cross-onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and a stormy vibe. Not good.

Now, we look ahead to the following week, and this is where things get more interesting, though less certain. We have another promising window opening on Friday morning, August 28th. The swell is up to 5ft from the S, with clean, cross-offshore winds and a moderate energy reading of 278. That morning looks like the best bet for the week. It's only a few days out, so we can't be 100% sure, but the ingredients are there. Saturday the 29th hangs in there with similar size but more wind, making it a bit more marginal.

After that, it's a mixed bag. We get a glassy morning on Sunday the 30th, but the swell drops right off.

Here's the real gem though, hidden a bit further out. Keep your eyes on Tuesday afternoon, September 1st. The forecast shows the swell holding at 4ft from the SSE with glassy conditions. The energy is a solid 207, and the call is for "good surf conditions." It's over a week away, so treat it with caution, but this could be the cleanest, most fun wave of the entire outlook. The long wait might just be worth it.

So, to sum it up: there are a couple of small windows this week (Tue 25th morning, and Fri 28th morning), but the real standout on the horizon is that Tuesday the 1st afternoon session. Mark it in your calendar, but don't hold your breath just yet.

Alright, that's all from me. Stay patient.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu night, fresh winds from the E by Sat night).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSE
6
0.8
SSE
7
0.9
SSE
8
0.6
SE
8
0.6
SE
7
0.6
SE
6
0.5
SE
9
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.4
SE
7
0.4
SE
8
0.9
E
4
0.9
E
5
1
E
5
1.1
E
5
1
E
6
0.9
E
5
0.2
ESE
12
0.7
S
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
53
69
81
38
33
30
38
23
13
12
18
29
38
41
60
64
36
14
43
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
5
N
15
SW
15
SW
10
SSW
20
SSW
5
SW
10
NW
10
SSW
5
NNW
10
ENE
10
ENE
10
E
25
E
25
E
30
E
20
SSW
20
W
10
S
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross
off
cross-on
High Tide
11:48PM0.74m
12:35PM0.87m
00:23AM0.67m
1:23PM0.81m
1:03AM0.61m
2:23PM0.77m
1:53AM0.57m
3:43PM0.74m
3:07AM0.55m
4:56PM0.75m
5:09AM0.57m
5:52PM0.77m
Low Tide
5:30AM0.09m
6:28PM0.20m
6:07AM0.15m
7:27PM0.26m
6:51AM0.20m
8:51PM0.30m
7:45AM0.24m
10:13PM0.29m
8:54AM0.27m
11:11PM0.26m
10:13AM0.26m
11:56PM0.22m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:44
7:42
7:40
7:38
7:37
7:36
7:35
 mm
1
11
3
5
3
Temp °C
21
21
24
25
24
26
26
25
24
24
21
21
22
21
21
22
24
25
23
Feels °C
20
22
25
26
27
25
25
28
24
24
22
22
24
19
19
21
25
25
22
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Fortress Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Fortress provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fortress can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fortress surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Fortress) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Fortress may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Fortress is 39 km (24 miles) from New London. If you plan a vacation in Long Island New York, look for hotels and other accommodation in New London. New London has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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