Packery Channel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you: this 16-day window for Packery Channel is a tough one. We're looking at a long stretch of poor surf conditions, with no standout days that would get a local frothing. The wind is our main enemy here, blowing cross-onshore for most of the period, which will keep the surface chopped and lumpy. The swell is small and weak, with a short period that won't deliver any real punch.

Let's start at the beginning. Tuesday, August 11th, we're looking at a tiny 3 ft swell from the SE with a period of just 5 seconds. The combined energy is a measly (34), and with a 16 mph cross-on wind, it's a write-off. That pattern continues right through the first week. Wednesday morning is a 3 ft SE swell (52) with the same cross-on wind, and by the afternoon, the wind picks up to 22 mph, making it lumpy. No good for a paddle.

Thursday and Friday offer a little more size, hitting 4 ft from the SE on Thursday and Friday with a period of 6 seconds. The energy on Friday morning even climbs into the moderate range at (109), but it's still under a cross-on wind. The wave comment says it all: "poor surf conditions." The wind will trash any chance of a decent face.

The weekend brings a bit of a change. Saturday, August 15th, we see 4 ft SE swell with a 6-second period and the wind goes "on" from the SE. The energy jumps to (160), but with the wind onshore, the surface will be bumpy. Sunday morning is a 3 ft SE swell (96) with a lighter 9 mph cross-on, which is better, but still not clean. The swell is just too weak and short-period to overcome the breeze.

The second week offers no relief. From Monday, August 17th, onward, the swell drops back to 2 ft or less. On Monday morning, the wind drops to 3 mph, but it's still cross-onshore, creating small wind ripples. The energy is back down to (34). On Tuesday, August 25th, we finally see a glassy morning with the wind from the ESE at 3 mph, but the swell is a pathetic 2 ft with a 5-second period and an energy of just (21). You'd be waiting for a wave that barely stands up. There's a chance of thunderstorms, too.

The rest of the period is more of the same: tiny wind swell, cross-onshore breezes, and energy readings that barely crack 30. This is a solid blank run for the area. The water temperature is 84°F, which is about normal for this time of year.

For a spot like this, when the swell is this small and the wind is this persistent, it's just not worth getting wet. The setup looks more interesting for a kite session than a surf. Keep an eye on the charts, but for now, I'd say find something else to do. The forecasts can change, but as it stands, there's nothing to recommend here.

Rusty.

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