1. WAVE SIZES
CDIP Buoy 094 (Cape Mendocino) and NDBC Buoy 46014 (Point Arena) indicate a solid northwest train. Exposed outer reefs and northwest-facing headlands are pulling overhead to well-overhead sets, showing head high to occasionally slightly overhead waves with chunky texture. Protected coves, southern angles, and harbor mouths (such as Mendocino Bay and Noyo) are much smaller, offering waist to chest high peelers. The overall energy is semi-jickety with short-to-mid period local windswell mixing with underlying westerly swell lines.
2. CURRENT WEATHER
Current conditions along the Mendocino coast feature clear to partly cloudy skies with cool marine air. Current air temperature is 59°F, with a forecasted high reaching 64°F inland and cooler coastal pockets. Wind is out of the North-Northwest at 16 mph with stronger gusts up to 21 mph. Strong northerly winds will persist through the afternoon before easing slightly and shifting more Northwest into the evening.
3. TIDES
Mendocino Bay Tides (Local PDT):
High: 6:37 AM (4.32 ft)
Low: 10:59 AM (3.45 ft)
High: 4:40 PM (5.68 ft)
Low: 12:16 AM Sun (-0.11 ft)
4. LATER TODAY & TOMORROW
Primary Swell: WNW at 6 to 8 feet with a 10 to 12 second period. Secondary Swell: NW at 4 feet at a 6 second period. Conditions later today will maintain choppy surf due to persistent 15-20 knot north-northwest winds. Tomorrow's outlook shows a slight easing in local wind speeds out of the northwest (10-15 knots), allowing cleaner windows during early morning hours with lingering head-high northwest swell at exposed spots.
5. 12-HOUR WIND
NOAA/NWS HRRR Run: Oct 3, 2026 - 1200 UTC
| TIME | WIND DIRECTION | WIND SPEED |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM PDT | NNW (Onshore / Choppy) | 16 mph |
| 1:00 PM PDT | NNW (Onshore / Choppy) | 18 mph |
| 2:00 PM PDT | N (Cross-Shore) | 20 mph |
| 3:00 PM PDT | N (Cross-Shore) | 19 mph |
| 4:00 PM PDT | NNW (Onshore) | 17 mph |
| 5:00 PM PDT | NNW (Onshore) | 15 mph |
| 6:00 PM PDT | NW (Onshore) | 13 mph |
| 7:00 PM PDT | NW (Light Chop) | 11 mph |
| 8:00 PM PDT | NW (Easing) | 9 mph |
| 9:00 PM PDT | WNW (Light) | 7 mph |
| 10:00 PM PDT | W (Light / Clean) | 6 mph |
| 11:00 PM PDT | Variable (Glassy) | 4 mph |
6. DAYLIGHT
First light: 6:42 AM PDT
Sunrise: 7:08 AM PDT
Sunset: 6:53 PM PDT
Total darkness: 7:19 PM PDT