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BUOY ROUNDUP
On Thursday, September 10, 2020 :

• Buoy 233 (Pearl Harbor Entrance)/Buoy 239 (Lanai): Seas were 3.6 ft @ 13.3 secs with swell 1.4 ft @ 13.3 secs from 210 degrees.
• Buoy 106 (Waimea): Seas were 3.8 ft @ 12.5 secs with swell 2.0 ft @ 11.6 secs from 312 degrees. Water temp 80.8 degs.
• Buoy 46025 (Catalina RDG): Seas were 2.8 ft @ 15.9 secs with swell 1.7 ft @ 13.8 secs from 194 degrees. Wind at the buoy was northwest at 6-8 kts. Water temperature 66.7 degs. At Harvest Buoy (071) primary swell was 2.5 ft @ 13.2 secs from 236 degrees. At Santa Monica (028) swell was 1.4 ft @ 15.6 secs from 213 degrees. At Oceanside (045) swell was 2.0 ft @ 14.6 secs from 194 degrees. Southward at Point Loma (191) swell was 1.9 ft @ 14.5 secs from 195 degrees.
• Buoy 46012 (Half Moon Bay)/029 (Pt Reyes): Seas were 3.7 ft @ 14.7 secs with swell 2.2 ft @ 13.7 secs from 235 degrees. Wind at the buoy (012) was east at 10-12 kts. Water temp 55.2 degs (013), 58.8 degs (SF Bar) and 58.6 degs (042).

See Hi-Res Buoy Dashboards (bottom of the page)

 

Significant: Winter - Swell 8 ft @ 14 secs or greater (11+ ft faces) for 8+ hours (greater than double overhead).
Summer - Head high or better.
Advanced: Winter - Swell and period combination capable of generating faces 1.5 times overhead to double overhead (7-10 ft)
Summer - Chest to head high.
Intermediate/Utility Class: Winter - Swell and period combination generating faces at head high to 1.5 times overhead (4-7 ft).
Summer - Waist to chest high.
Impulse/Windswell: Winter - Swell and period combination generating faces up to head high (1-4 ft) or anything with a period less than 11 secs.
Summer - up to waist high swell. Also called 'Background' swell.

Surf Heights for Hawaii should be consider 'Hawaiian Scale' if period exceeds 14 secs.

PACIFIC OVERVIEW
Current Conditions
On Thursday (9/10) in North and Central CA local northwest windswell was small with waves waist high or so and lined up if not closed out and clean with no wind. Protected breaks were thigh to waist high and weak and clean early. At Santa Cruz surf was waist to chest high and clean but a bit on the inconsistent side. In Southern California/Ventura waves were waist high and clean and lined up. Central Orange County had set waves at waist high coming from the south and clean and lined up early but slow. South Orange County's best summertime breaks had set waves at chest to shoulder high and lined up and clean but with northerly lump on top making for an uneven surface. North San Diego had sets at waist to chest high and clean and lined up if not closed out early. Hawaii's North Shore had some waist high sets and clean but inconsistent and weak. The South Shore was getting continued southern hemi swell with set waves waist to chest high at top breaks and clean and lined up. The East Shore was getting no real east windswell with waves thigh high or so and near chopped early from moderate east trades.

See QuikCASTs for the 5 day surf overview or read below for the detailed view.

Meteorological Overview
On Thursday (9/10) no real locally generated windswell was occurring in North or Central CA or along the East Shores of the Hawaiian Islands. Also in Hawaii southern hemi swell was building originating from a gale that tracked under and east of New Zealand Wed-Thurs (9/3) producing up to 27 ft seas aimed northeast. Swell from that is tracking towards the US West Coast. And small swell was hitting California from a secondary gale that tracked through the Central South Pacific Tues-Wed (9/2) producing up to 42 ft seas aimed east. And another decent system is forecast tracking under New Zealand Fri-Sat (9/12) with up to 42 ft seas aimed east. And lesser energy is to follow. So summer is not over yet. Up north nothing of interest is forecast.

See all the details below...

 

SHORT- TERM FORECAST
Current marine weather and wave analysis plus forecast conditions for the next 72 hours

North Pacific

Overview
Surface Analysis
On Thursday (9/10) no swell producing fetch was occurring and no swell was in the water.

Over the next 72 hours no swell producing fetch is forecast.

 

North Pacific Animations: Jetstream - Surface Pressure/Wind - Sea Height - Surf Height

 

Tropical Update
No tropical system are being monitored.

California Nearshore Forecast
On Thursday (9/10) light south winds were occurring at 1-5 kts early holding all day. No windswell production potential forecast. On Fri (9/1) northwest winds are forecast at 5-10 kts for North and Central CA offering no windswell production potential but getting more coherent in the later afternoon at 15 kts in the Pt Conception area. Sat (9/12) northwest winds are forecast at 10-15 kts for North and Central CA all day offering nothing. On Sun (9/13) northwest winds are forecast at 10-15 kts for North and Central CA waters all day with weak low pressure off the coast. No real change on Mon (9/14) with northwest winds 10-15 kts limited to Central CA and no winds for North CA. On Tues (9/15) more of the same is forecast with north winds 10-15 kts for Central CA and 10 kts or less for North CA all day. On Wed (9/16) light northwest winds are forecast all day at 10 kts or less. No windswell production is forecast. No change on Thurs (9/17).

Total snow accumulation for the week for Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, Kirkwood and Mammoth at 0, 0, 0 and 0 inches respectively. Freezing level 14,000 ft or higher until 9/16 with it dropping to 9000 ft and holding into 9/17, then rising back to 14,000 ft.

Snow Models: http://www.stormsurf.com/mdls/menu_snow.html (Scroll down for resort specific forecasts). Updated!

 

South Pacific

Overview
Jetstream
On Thursday (9/10) the southern branch of the jet was lifting northeast from under New Zealand being fed by 90 kt winds forming a weak trough offering weak support for gale development. East of there the jet was running zonally west to east up on the 53S latitude line at 130-140 kts offering no real support for gale development. Over the next 72 hours the trough under New Zealand is to push east with winds feeding it building to 130 kts on Fri (9/11) offering improved support for gale development sweeping east to the Central Pacific on Sat (9/12) then dissipating. By Sun (9/13) the jet is to be ridging south under New Zealand to antarctica and very weak offering no support for gale development then lifting northeast and running zonally over the Central and Southeast Pacific at 53S offering no troughs of support for gale development. Beyond 72 hours that ridge is to push east and generally weak then building on Tues (9/15) over the Central South PAcific pushing into Antarctica actively suppressing support for gale development there. But to the west a new trough is to be building under New Zealand being fed by 120 kts winds lifting up to New Zealand proper offering support for gale development and pushing east into Wed (9/16) offering good support for gale development. But by Thurs (9/17) the trough is to pinch off with the whole of the jet falling south down to 65S and generally over Antarctic Ice offering no support for gale development.

Surface Analysis
On Thursday (9/10) swell from a gale that tracked east from under New Zealand was fading in California (see Fresh New Zealand Gale below). Another smaller swell was starting to hit California originating from a tiny gale that tracked east from southeast of New Zealand (see Small New Zealand Gale below). And yet one more weak gale followed in the same area (see Weak New Zealand Gale below) and swell from it starting to hit Hawaii.

Over the next 72 hours a new gale is forecast building southwest of New Zealand on Fri PM (9/11) producing 40-45 kt west winds over a decent sized area with seas to 43 ft at 55.5S 158E aimed east. On Sat AM (9/12) west-southwest winds are to push east over a decent sized area at 40-45 kts with seas 42 ft at 56.5S 169E aimed east-northeast. In the evening fetch is to be lifting northeast at 35-40 kts with seas fading from 39 ft at 56S 180W aimed northeast. On Sun AM (9/13) fetch is to be fading from 30 kts over broad area aimed northeast with seas fading from 34 ft at 55S 170W aimed northeast. The gale is to be gone after that. Something to monitor.

 

Fresh New Zealand Gale
A small but strong system developed just south of New Zealand on Fri PM (8/28) producing 55-60 kt west-southwest winds and getting traction on the oceans surface producing 46 ft seas at 53.5S 166.5E aimed east. On Sat AM (8/29) the gale was building in coverage producing a decent sized fetch of 40-45 kt southwest winds with seas 42 ft at 52.5S 176E aimed east-northeast. In the evening the gale was fading while tracking east producing a broad area of 35-40 kt southwest winds with seas fading from 37 ft at 52S 177W aimed east-northeast. On Sun AM (8/30) the gale was tracking northeast with 35-40 kt southwest winds and seas fading from 33 ft at 48.5S 171W aimed -northeast. In the evening the gale rebuilt with 35-40 kt southwest winds and seas 31 ft over a decent sized area at 47.5S 161W aimed northeast. Fetch faded Mon AM (8/31) at 35 kts aimed northeast with seas fading from 29 ft at 47S 153W aimed northeast. The gale dissipated from there. Swell has been generated.

Southern CA: Swell fading Thurs (9/10) from 1.6 ft @ 14 secs (2.0-2.5 ft). Swell Direction: 211 degrees

 

Small New Zealand Gale
Another small gale developed southeast of New Zealand on Mon AM (8/31) producing a tiny area of 50 kt west winds with seas building from 29 ft over a tiny area at 54S 180W aimed east. In the evening 45-50 kt southwest winds pushed east with seas building to 41 ft over a tiny area at 55S 169.5W aimed east. On Tues AM (9/1) the gale was tracking east producing 45 kt southwest winds over a small area and seas building to 42 ft at 54.5S 164W aimed east. In the evening the gale was lifting northeast with 35-40 kt southwest winds and seas 33 ft at 51.5S 150.5W aimed east. More of the same occurred Wed AM (9/2) with a decent sized area of 35 kt southwest winds and seas 27 ft at 52S 140W aimed east-northeast. The gale was holding in the evening over the Southeast Pacific with 30-35 kt southwest winds and seas rebuilding to 28 ft at 53.5S 130W aimed east. On Thurs AM (9/3) the gale surged some with 40 kt southwest winds and seas 30 ft at 55.5S 126W aimed east. The gale tracked east and out of the CA swell window in the evening.

Hawaii: No swell expected radiating north to the Islands

Southern CA: On Thurs (9/10) swell is to build some pushing to 1.6 ft @ 16-17 secs later (2.5-3.0 ft). Swell fading Fri (9/11) from 2.0 ft @ 15 secs early (3.0 ft). Dribbles on Sat (9/12) fading from 1.6 ft @ 14 secs (2.0-2.5 ft) early. Swell Direction: 198 degrees

North CA: Expect swell arrival on Thurs (9/10) pushing to 1.1 ft @ 16-17 secs later (2.0 ft). Swell fading Fri (9/11) from 1.3 ft @ 15-16 secs (2.0 ft). Swell Direction: 198 degrees

 

Weak New Zealand Gale
A gale developed under New Zealand Tues PM (9/1) producing 35 kt southwest winds and starting to get some traction on the oceans surface producing 27 ft seas at 57S 161E aimed east. On Wed AM (9/2) the gale pushed east with a decent sized area of 35 kt southwest winds just south of New Zealand producing 27 ft seas at 58S 173E aimed northeast. In the evening the gale was tracking east with 35 kt southwest winds and seas 26 ft at 58S 179E aimed northeast. The gale was fading Thurs AM (9/3) with southwest fetch fading from 30-35 kts lifting northeast with seas fading from 26 ft at 59S 175W aimed east. The gale faded out from there.

Hawaii: Swell building Thurs (9/10) to 1.6 ft @ 15 secs (2.0-2.5 ft) mid-day. Swell fading on Fri (/11) from 1.6 ft @ 13-14 secs (2.0 ft). Swell Direction: 200 degrees

Southern CA: Expect swell arrival on Sat (9/12) building to 1.2 ft @ 17-18 secs later (2.0 ft). Swell peaking on Sun (9/13) at 1.7 ft @ 15-16 secs (2.5 ft). Swell fading on Mon (9/14) from 1.3 ft @ 14 secs early (1.5-2.0 ft). Swell Direction: 216 degrees

North CA: Faint signs to arrive on Sat (9/12) at 1.0 ft @ 17 secs later (1.5 ft). Swell peaking on Sun (9/13) at 1.3 ft @ 15-16 secs early (2.0 ft). Swell fading on Mon (9/14) from 1.3 ft @ 14-15 secs early (1.5-2.0 ft). Swell Direction: 215 degrees

 

South Pacific Animations: Jetstream - Surface Pressure/Wind - Sea Height - Surf Height

 

QuikCAST's

 

LONG-TERM FORECAST
Marine weather and forecast conditions 3-10 days into the future

North Pacific

Beyond 72 hours no swell producing fetch of interest is forecast.

 

South Pacific

Beyond 72 hours a broad gale is forecast pushing east through the Southern Tasman Sea on Mon-Tues (9/15) producing seas to 33 ft aimed east at 49S 151E but shadowed by New Zealand relative to California but offering some energy pushing up the Fiji Channel to Hawaii. The gale is to not make it intact into the exposed Southwest Pacific.

A broader system is forecast to follow tracking cleanly under New Zealand a week out (Thurs 9/17) with seas to 27 ft aimed east. But odds are low of that every happening.

 

MJO/ENSO Forecast

 

Cold Water Pool Holding Solid Across Equatorial Pacific

MJO/ENSO Discussion
The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a periodic weather cycle that tracks east along the equator circumnavigating the globe. It is characterized in it's Inactive Phase by enhanced trade winds and dry weather over the part of the equator it is in control of, and in it's Active Phase by slackening if not an outright reversing trade winds while enhancing precipitation. The oscillation occurs in roughly 20-30 day cycles (Inactive for 20-30 days, then Active for 20-30 days) over any single location on the planet, though most noticeable in the Pacific. During the Active Phase in the Pacific the MJO tends to support the formation of stronger and longer lasting gales resulting in enhanced potential for the formation of swell producing storms. Prolonged and consecutive Active MJO Phases in the Pacific help support the formation of El Nino. During the Inactive Phase the jet stream tends to split resulting in high pressure and less potential for swell producing storm development. Wind anomalies in the Kelvin Wave Generation Area (KWGA) are key for understanding what Phase the MJO is in over the Pacific. The KWGA is located on the equator from 135E-170W and 5 degs north and south (or on the equator from New Guinea east to the dateline). West wind anomalies in the KWGA suggest the Active Phase of the MJO in the Pacific, and east anomalies suggests the Inactive Phase. In turn the Active Phase strengthens and the Inactive Phase weakens the jetstream, which in turn enhances or dampens storm production respectively in the Pacific.

And the El Nino/La Nino cycle (collectively know as ENSO - El Nino Southern Oscillation) is a less frequent (about once every 7 years) but more impactful cycle that affects world wide weather. Specifically, strong El Nino events promote storm production in the Pacific while La Nina events suppress storm production. These therefore have a significant impact on the production of swell and surf. The paragraphs below analyze the state of the MJO and ENSO in the Pacific and provide forecasts for upcoming activity (or inactivity depending on the state and interaction of these two oscillations).

Overview: A double dip La Nina was in control through the Winter of 2017-2018. But warming started building along the South and Central American coast in early March 2018 associated with two upwelling Kelvin Waves, and continued trying to build over equatorial waters over the Summer and Fall, but not enough to declare El Nino and not coupled with the atmosphere. In January 2019, those warm waters were fading, but then rebuilt late in Feb associated with Kelvin Wave (#3). But as of early June 2019 warm water was fading and by August a tongue of cool water was tracking west on the equator from Ecuador over the Galapagos reaching to a point nearly south of Hawaii. El Nino was dead. A bit of a recovery occurred during Fall of 2019, with weak warm water building in the Nino 1.2 region, but cool water held in a pool off Peru and had not changed until March 2020. By April the cool pool pushed east and by May subsurface cool waters erupted off Ecuador, forming a well defined cool tongue that looked like the start of La Nina, holding into July 2020.

LONG-RANGE PACIFIC STORM AND SWELL GENERATION POTENTIAL FORECAST

Fall/Winter 2020/2021 = 3.0/3.5 (California & Hawaii) Rating based on a 1-10 scale: 1 being the lowest (small and infrequent surf conditions), 5 being normal/average, and 10 being extraordinary (frequent events of large, long period swells)

Rationale: It is assumed the PDO has moved to the warm phase in 2014 and that a weak borderline El Nino from 2018 faded out in the Fall of 2019. A La Nina like ocean temperature pattern developed in the equatorial East Pacific in the summer of 2019, then faded and returned to a neutral if not weak warm status during the Winter of 2019-2020 only to return stronger in the Summer of 2020. We have been suspecting a turn towards a La Nina like atmospheric pattern to develop in the late Winter/early Spring of 2020. Our best hope is that moderation from the warm phase of the PDO might tamp down development of a full blown La Nina as we move into 2020. But at this time that does not appear likely. Given all that, for the 2020 there is decent probability for development of La Nina meaning a reduced number of storm days and storm intensity during the summer season, resulting in a below normal level of swell, with swell being below normal duration and period. And by the Fall and early Winter of 2020/21, the number of storm days, intensity and duration of those storms should fade even more, resulting in depressed swell production. This pattern is expected to hold through the Spring of 2021.

KWGA/Equatorial Surface Wind Analysis & Short-term Forecast (KWGA - Kelvin Wave Generation Area - The area 5 degrees north and south of the equator from 170W to 135E)
Analysis (TAO Buoys): As of (9/9) 5 day average winds were strong from the east over the Eastern equatorial Pacific continuing over the Central Pacific and then strong from the east over the KWGA. Anomalies were moderate east over the East equatorial continuing over the Central Pacific and then building to moderate easterly over the KWGA. (Note: These are 5 day average winds, so they lag what is happening today by about 2 days).
1 Week Forecast (GFS Model): On (9/10) moderate east anomalies were filling the KWGA today extending east over the entirety of the Pacific to nearly Ecuador. The forecast calls for east anomalies holding in coverage but building in strength over the KWGA to strong status starting 9/12 continuing to fill it through the end of the forecast period (on 9/17) though weakening to weak status directly off Ecuador the last 2 days of the model run. Support for energy transfer into the jet is weak and is expected to continue that way if not weakening for at least the next week.

Kelvin Wave Generation Area wind monitoring model: West and East

Longer Range MJO/WWB Projections:  
OLR Models: (9/9) No MJO signal (Active or Inactive) was over the KWGA nor anywhere on the planet. The statistic model indicates a dead MJO pattern for the next 2 weeks (thru day 15). The dynamic model suggests the same thing.
Phase Diagrams 2 week forecast (ECMF and GEFS): (9/10) The statistical model depicts the Active Phase was exceedingly weak over the West Maritime Continent today and is to weakly track east into the West Pacific weakening to non-existent status at day 15. The GEFS model suggests the same thing but maybe the Active Phase a little stronger at weak status on day 15.
40 day Upper Level Model (assumed to be a statistical mode and 1 week ahead of what is occurring at the surface): (9/8) This model depicts a weak Inactive MJO phase was fragmented but filling the equatorial Pacific today. The forecast suggest the Inactive Phase is to track east and pushing into Central America 9/23. A very weak Active pattern is to traverse the Pacific 9/23-10/13 but so weak as to have no real benefit to storm production. A new moderate Inactive Phase of the MJO is to start building over the Maritime Continent 10/8 and filling the KWGA at the end of the model run on 10/18.
4 Week CFS Model (850 mb wind): (9/4) This model depicts an Inactive MJO moving over the KWGA with moderate plus strength east anomalies filling the KWGA and all of the equatorial Pacific. The forecast indicates the Inactive Phase of the MJO to continue tracking east through the KWGA through the end of the model run on 10/2 with moderate to strong east anomalies in control. A modest Active Phase of the MJO is to start building over the Maritime Continent trying to push into the West Pacific at the end of the model run on 10/2. Overall a long run of easterly anomalies are to take over the KWGA.
3 Month CFS Model (850 mb wind): (9/10 - using the 4th/latest ensemble member): This model depicts a moderate to strong Inactive MJO peaking over the KWGA today and is to traverse the KWGGA through 10/18 producing solid east anomalies firmly controlling the KWGA and the equatorial Pacific. A moderate Active Phase of the MJO is forecast to follow trying to organize in the west on 9/25 but fading only to return 10/8 traversing the KWGA through 11/11 producing modest west anomalies filling the KWGA and then over the East Pacific. A weak Inactive Phase is to follow 11/7 easing east through the end of the model run on 12/8 but with modest west anomalies holding over the KWGA while east anomalies fade some over the East equatorial Pacific. The low pass filter indicates a high pressure bias is in control over the dateline today reaching east to a point south of California and is to hold in coverage through the end of the model run with a second contour setting up on 9/11 on the dateline holding through the end of the model run. But the high pressure bias is to be slowly moving east through the period and at the end of the model run it's western edge is to be positioned midway through the KWGA at 165E. A single contour low pressure bias is over the Indian Ocean today and is to build in coverage through the end of the model run while its eastern periphery eases east to 150E. But it is showing no signs of weakening nor moving east. East anomalies that have been previously solid in the Indian Ocean for over a year are migrating east through the West Pacific today and should continue tracking east while fading over the East Pacific in early Dec. The trend is turning towards La Nina, but now looks to be shorter lived event.

CFSv2 3 month forecast for 850 mb winds, MJO, Rossby etc - Alternate link

Subsurface Waters Temps
TAO Array: (9/10) Today in the far West Pacific the 30 deg isotherm was gone. The 29 deg isotherm was steady at 170E today. The 28 deg isotherm line was backtracking to 170W today. The 24 deg isotherm was steady at 133W today. Anomaly wise, warm anomalies +0-1 deg C were steady and stationary in the West Pacific reaching east to only 170W but no further. There was a large pocket of cooler anomalies at -2 degs filling the entire area east of there and bubbling up to the surface over that entire area. The hi-res GODAS animation posted 9/5 indicates the cool water bubble at depth was stronger and larger erupting to the surface from 175E eastward to Ecuador with a core to -4.5C. No warm anomalies were below the surface or at the surface east of the dateline. The GODAS animation appears to be 1 week behind the TAO data but also is more detailed and accurately modeled.
Sea Level Anomalies: (9/5) Negative anomalies greater than -5 cms with a large embedded area at -10 cms were over the Central and East equatorial Pacific between 90W to 150W. Negative anomalies were weak but still present along Peru and up into Ecuador at -5 cms and reaching north up to Baja and into Southern CA. No positive anomalies were over the equatorial Pacific, except west of the dateline.

Surface Water Temps
The more warm water in the equatorial East Pacific means more storm production in the North Pacific during winter months (roughly speaking). Cold water in that area has a dampening effect. Regardless of what the atmospheric models and surface winds suggest, actual water temperatures are a ground-truth indicator of what is occurring in the ocean. All data is from blended infrared and microwave sensors.
Satellite Imagery
Hi-res Nino1.2 & 3.4: (9/9) The latest images indicate cold anomalies were on the equator from Ecuador west to the dateline and consistent in density over that entire and large area. Markedly cold anomalies were imbedded in that area between the Galapagos to 135W. Cool anomalies were also holding along Peru. This clearly indicates a well developed version of La Nina. Warm water was off Central America reaching west to the dateline but only north of the equator and fading, remnants of a fading El Nino like pattern. Overall the cool pool on the equator was unmistakable and starting to show signs of rebuilding after previously being stalled.
Hi-res 7 day Trend (9/9): A clear cooling trend was positioned from just west of Ecuador over the Galapagos and west to 140W, but a bit weaker than days past. Small pockets of warming were interspersed but of no significance. The short term trend is looking like development of a large scale cooling trend centered in the Central and East Equatorial Pacific.
Hi-res Overview: (9/9) A stream of consistent cool water is well entrenched from Peru up to Ecuador then tracking west on the equator out to the dateline. A clear La Nina signal is depicted.
Nino1.2 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (9/10) Today's temps were holding at -1.759 degs after previously reaching a momentary low of -2.138 on 8/13. The trend has been steadily downward since March 26. Overall the trend is towards cooling after having previously been in a warmer range at +0.6 degs between 2/25-3/26.
Nino 3.4 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (9/7) Temps were falling today at -0.733 reaching a new low. Temps have been on a steady decline since 7/25. Before that temps were stable between 6/27-7/24 at near 0.0. And before that temps were rising after bottoming out down at -0.595 on 5/27. Overall the trend appears to be in a steep decline.

CFSV2 Forecast for Nino3.4 Sea Surface Temp (SST) Anomalies & Current SST Anomalies

SST Anomaly Projections
CFSv2 Uncorrected Data (9/9) Actual temperatures were in the +0.65 deg range early this year through March, then started falling down to -0.20 in late-May then stabilized near neutral into late June. They began falling again in July down to -0.75 mid-Aug. The forecast depicts a steady downward trend from here reaching down to -1.60 degs in late Oct holding in Nov then beginning to rise in later Dec, rebuilding up to -0.15 degs in late April. We think the dynamic models might be overstating the magnitude of the coming cooling trend for the equatorial Pacific, but maybe not too much.
IRI Consensus Plume: The August 21, 2020 Plume depicts temps are at -0.52 degs today, and are to fall in early Nov to -0.60 degs then moderating and starting to rise some to -0.35 by Jan 2021 and then neutral by March. The low outlier is a dynamic models (NASA GMAO). But a good plethora of models are now suggesting a developing modest La Nina. See chart here - link.

Atmospheric Coupling (Indicating the presence of El Nino in the atmosphere driven by the ocean):
Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) (negative is good, positive bad) (9/10): The daily index was barely positive today at 0.12. The 30 day average was falling some at +8.43. The 90 day average was falling to 3.48, suggesting a neutral ENSO pattern was in control and trending towards La Nina. This index is a lagging indicator.
ESPI Index (like SOI but based on satellite confirmed precipitation. Positive and/or rising is good, negative and/or falling is bad): June -0.67, May -0.46, April 2020 -0.69, March -0.09, Feb +0.65, Jan +0.42, This index was steady positive Aug 2018 through Feb 2020, and now is steady negative, but only weakly so.

Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Per NOAAs index recent values: Jan 2018 +0.29, Feb -0.19, Mar -0.61, April -0.89, May -0.69, June -0.85, July -0.09, Aug -0.43, Sept -0.46, Oct -0.75, Nov -0.78, Dec -0.12, Jan 2019 -0.18, Feb -0.50 Mar -0.23, April +0.10, May +0.14, June -0.11, July +0.44, Aug -0.14, Sept +0.05, Oct -0.96, Nov -0.28, Dec +0.01, Jan 2020 -1.17, This continues to look like the warm phase of the PDO. No consistently solid negative readings have occurred since Feb 2014
The Washington/JISAO index (Jan-Dec): Jan 2018 +0.70. Feb +0.37, Mar -0.05, April +0.11, May +0.11, June -0.04, July +0.11, Aug +0.18, Sept +0.09. No real negative readings have occurred since Dec 2013
The PDO turned from a 16 year negative run (Jan 98-Feb 2014) in early 2014 and has been positive ever since (other than a few months of negative readings in Fall 2016, the result of a turn towards La Nina). Looking at the long term record, it is premature to conclude that we have in-fact turned from the negative phase (La Nina 'like') to the positive phase (El Nino 'like'), but the data strongly suggests that could be a possibility. By the time it is confirmed (4-5 years out), we will be well into it.

See imagery in the ENSO Powertool 

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External Reference Material: El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), Kelvin Wave

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Powerlinessurf

Jeff Clark

Inside Mavericks

Local Interest

Stormsurf Video Surf Forecast for the week starting Sunday (9/7):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqUAo1qUAI&feature=youtu.be&hd=1
For automatic notification of forecast updates, subscribe to the Stormsurf001 YouTube channel - just click the 'Subscribe' button below the video.

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NBC News - Climate Change and Surfing: https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/climate-change-good-surfing-other-sports-not-so-much-ncna1017131

Stormsurf and Mavericks on HBO Sports with Bryant Gumbel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luQSYf5sKjQ

Mavericks Invitational Pieces Featuring Stormsurf:
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/how-to-predict-the-best-surfing-waves-EsNiR~0xR5yXGOlOq2MqfA.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/surfs-up-for-mavericks-invitational-in-calif/

Time Zone Converter By popular demand we've built and easy to use time convert that transposes GMT time to whatever time zone you are located. It's ion left hand column on every page on the site near the link to the swell calculator.

Surf Height-Swell Height Correlation Table