Sunday, August 23, 2026 | Issued at 2:46 PM PDT
Coastal Monterey County is experiencing breezy conditions today as northwest winds blow between 15 to 25 knots before gradually easing into this evening. Temperatures along the immediate coastline are hovering near seasonal averages in the low to mid-60s, while inland valleys reach into the upper 70s. The dense morning marine inversion layer is breaking up, though localized hazy visibility remains along sections of the Big Sur coast.
Ocean swell across Monterey Bay and surrounding waters is predominantly driven by a fresh northwest wind swell measuring 6 to 7 feet at an 8-second wave period, averaging general sea state heights around 6 feet. Nearby offshore buoys also detect a underlying long-period southerly swell running at 2 feet with a 15-second period, creating mixed ocean conditions along exposed west and south-facing beaches.
Tide levels in Monterey Harbor feature a low tide of 3.2 feet at 1:51 PM, rising to a peak high tide of 5.4 feet at 7:55 PM later this evening. Sunset will occur at 7:48 PM with first light breaking tomorrow morning around 6:05 AM.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, northwest winds will lighten significantly to 10 to 15 knots in the morning and ease to 5 to 10 knots by the afternoon. Combined seas will subside to 4 to 6 feet, offering smoother marine conditions entering the work week.
raw data from noaa, curated by surforecast pacificwaverider