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Surf Coming ! Tropical Storm Ophelia is still on track to send us some potentially awesome waves Monday thru Wednesday for now :)…I have some photos I took today for a view at how the Surf was in Satellite Beach.
There was only 2 guys out, I decided to check out Hightowers in Satellite Beach, and it was thigh to waist high, glassy, SSW to SW winds light, and occasionally a stomach high set came in. I took the shots an hour after mid-tide (like 8:30 AM), high tide going low. It looked pretty fun and the crowd factor was great, 2 guys out 😉 Okay, now a little about Saturday thru Wednesday surf…
Tropical Storm Ophelia should start providing us with some actual long period Tropical Storm waves Monday morning, It appears that Ophelia will not be getting stronger, or at least not by much, but hopefully will at least hold it’s own in the 40 to 45 mph wind range so our swell fetch, remains about the same.
From 2000 miles away, TS Ophelia (an obvious SSE ground swell) is very slowly sending us in some strength to our NE’ster wind swell that’s been lingering for a couple days and until Sunday. And with this high pressure wind shear up above, it’s giving us offshore winds in the morning, and when Ophelia gets here, the shear will also keep Ophelia 800 or more miles off our coast and following Hurricane Alley straight up North with a thank you to God for that 🙂
So, Saturday morning, probably the same size as today, waist high plus down South, and hopefully thigh high at the Cape. Winds, SW 4mph at daybreak switching to West before Noon, and onshore probably before 1 PM.
Sunday morning, maybe a foot bigger on the face, maybe, waist to possible chest high, or at least chest high drops in Satellite, and waist high at the Cape. Right now the winds are looking SSW until 10 or 11 AM, 3 to 5 mph, so don’t waist your time surfing anywhere North of 6th Street South. To get the size and best angle on the winds for mirror glass, head to Patrick AFB and toward Satellite.
Monday morning, too far out to call the winds, but my best guesstimate, a 12 to 14 second period swell, is chest high plus down South, waist to stomach at the Cape, SW winds until Noon at best, in the 5 to 10 mph range.
Tuesday, I believe to be the biggest day of TS Ophelia, with some 12 second period head high sets down South (may not close out as much as Monday might). Chest high plus at the Cape with some rogue bigger sets. Winds, West to NW winds until Noon or 1 PM , 5 to 10 mph, turning onshore by 1 PM. *(AGAIN, WINDS ARE IFFY, AND ANYTHING SPECULATED BEYOND 48 HOURS BEFORE SURF-TIME, IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. A SOLID PROBABLY 50 % ACCURATE WHEN IT’S HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORMS THAT HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE MODELS FOR A COUPLE DAYS IN A ROW)
Wednesday, could be chest to shoulder high down South, with perhaps the best form of the swell. waist to stomach at the Cape. Possibly West winds until Noon in the 5 to 10 mph range.
Thursday, could still have some decent waist high size leftovers, but we’ll stop here.
2011 has been the best year for waves since 2004 in my opinion. Last year was as consistent, during the Summer and throughout the year, but the Hurricanes last year only gave us one glassy Hurricane (Earl) for a day or two, because all three Canes came a little too soon before the preceding one was able to give us the epic size offshore winds day.
Enjoy the weekend, and get stoked for Monday thru Wednesday.
PS – About the photos of the snake; it was guarding the Men’s bathroom door when I went to use the facilities at the 16th St. Park. (NOTE: THE SNAKE IS A HARMLESS CORN SNAKE (RED RAT SNAKE ) Which by the way, the waves were at least a foot smaller than Satellite, and just rideable for a longboard.
Johnson Ave. this morning was clean with some ridable knee to maybe thigh sets. The Pier will probably or did have some fun waves for all, is my guess.
oldwaverider
Johnson Avenue Surfers 