Jacks Hole Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – this is a tough one. We’ve got a long stretch ahead with basically nothing rideable, so don’t be in a rush to wax up.

The outlook starts with a real flat spell. From Wednesday afternoon, July 8th, right through, it’s just tiny, weak dribble. The water temp is sitting at about 62°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a small comfort if you’re just going for a swim. But for surfing? Forget it. Swell energy is down around 3 (units) – that’s as weak as it gets – and the wind is all over the place, mostly cross or cross-onshore. It’s a grim start.

We’ve got a solid gap of no surf here. The first few days are a total write-off, and it doesn’t really get any better through the first week. By Saturday July 11th, we see a bump in wind, but it’s a messy 19 mph cross-shore, and the swell is still a pathetic 4 ft from the NNE with a short, weak period of 6 seconds. That’s just lumpy, bumpy, and no good for anyone.

The middle of the week, around July 14th, shows the highest energy we’ll see – 120 (units) – with a 5 ft NE swell. But the period is still a short 6 seconds, and the wind is a fresh cross-onshore. It’s choppy, it’s messy, and it’s a long way from being a good wave. Honestly, with that kind of wind and chop, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The second week doesn’t offer much hope either. There’s a brief moment of glassy conditions on Friday afternoon, July 17th, and Saturday morning, July 18th, but the swell is tiny – 2 ft and 0.3 ft respectively. The energy is non-existent (12 and 8 units). It’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride. We do get a bit of offshore wind late in the period, like on Monday July 20th, with a fresh 19 mph offshore breeze, but it’s blowing over a 2 ft, 5-second windswell. Clean, but still too small for a proper session.

The only real standout – and I use that term loosely – is the very end of the forecast. On Thursday, July 23rd, we’ve got a light offshore wind from the WNW at 6 mph, with a clean 0.3 ft swell from the south with a period of 14 seconds. It’s a long-period groundswell, which is a good sign for shape, but the size is barely a ripple. The energy is only 5 (units). It’s a tease, really. If you’re desperate for a paddle and the conditions look perfect, you might get a few knee-high rollers at Jacks Hole (a reef break for advanced surfers). This spot is fairly consistent, but it’s exposed to the south, and that’s the only direction we see any clean energy from. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so keep an eye out.

Other than that, this is a long, flat run. It’s a normal pattern for this area when the swell just doesn’t line up. Forecasts can change, so don’t lose hope, but for now, save your wax.

Rusty.

Read more