Surf Forecasts:
48th Street surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, E swell with 84 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 48th Street this week:
The surf forecast for 48th Street over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 48th Street in the next 16 days are 0.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 48th Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what 48th Street has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it's a pretty slow start. The first week is mostly a write-off with tiny, weak swell and messy winds. We're looking at a solid block of poor conditions from Friday the 11th right through to the following weekend. There are a few glimpses of hope on Sunday the 13th with some clean, glassy waves in the afternoon, but the swell is tiny at just 1ft. It's surfable, but you won't be getting any kind of real ride. The water is a balmy 78°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you'll be comfortable while you wait.
The real story here is the second week. We get a pulse of proper energy kicking in around Sunday the 20th of September. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the NE, with the combined energy hitting a solid 312 (moderate). The wind is clean and offshore, which is a great sign. This swell builds through Monday and Tuesday, reaching 7ft with a combined energy over 700 (very strong). However, the wind turns messy – strong cross-onshore – so the quality will be pretty horrible.
The absolute standout is Wednesday the 23rd of September. After all that wind, we get a morning of pure magic: 6ft of E groundswell (9-second period) with absolutely glassy conditions. The combined energy is 605 (strong). That’s the morning to circle on your calendar. It will be a touch big for beginners, but for the rest of you, it's going to be clean and powerful. The crowds are often a factor at 48th Street, so get there early. After that, the swell hangs around through Thursday and Friday, but the winds get more tricky, so the window of perfection is narrow.
The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on the windy days around the 20th to 22nd with that big, messy NE swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat night, calm by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 20 | 13 | 28 | 49 | 58 | 31 | 36 | 41 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 37 | 28 | 36 | 24 | 54 | 57 | 63 | 84 | 46 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:23AM1.40m | 8:37PM1.40m | 9:06AM1.41m | 9:20PM1.34m | 9:49AM1.39m | 10:03PM1.26m | 10:33AM1.35m | 10:48PM1.17m | 11:17AM1.29m | 11:36PM1.08m | 12:03PM1.23m | 00:25AM1.00m | 12:51PM1.17m | 1:17AM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:34PM-0.06m | 3:00AM-0.11m | 3:20PM-0.05m | 3:40AM-0.07m | 4:04PM-0.01m | 4:17AM-0.00m | 4:46PM0.05m | 4:54AM0.08m | 5:29PM0.13m | 5:30AM0.16m | 6:14PM0.21m | 6:09AM0.25m | 7:06PM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
Feels °C | 26 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 5 | SE 9 | — | — | SE 10 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 24 | 8 | 13 | — | — | 24 | 31 | 9 | 41 | 32 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 28 | 36 | 24 | 54 | 57 | 63 | 84 | 46 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 9 | S 5 | — | — | E 8 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 5 |
| kJ | 18 | 20 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 24 | 36 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | SE 11 | — | — | — | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | E 10 | — | — | — | ESE 13 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 2 | NE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 8 | 8 | 28 | 49 | 58 | — | — | — | 35 | 35 | 34 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 312 | 1053 | 312 | 1145 | 1152 | 196 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 291 | 333 | 658 | 1064 | 672 | 864 | 1145 | 1145 | 15 | 157 | 585 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maryland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the 48th Street Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for 48th Street provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 48th Street can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 48th Street 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 (48th Street) 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 48th Street 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.
48th Street is 7 km (4 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in Maryland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ocean City. Ocean City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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