So Cal Wave Model

scubacalifornia · Sep 10, 2004

Thought I would share the following links that I just stumbled across. This probably isn't new news to some, but I never realized there is a So. Cal. wave height model available through CDIP (Coastal Data Information Program). I've been looking at the swell model for months as a reference for local conditions. But swell and waves are obviously two different parameters, and as I observed last Sunday morning, the swell model was nice and blue but the waves were 5' and growing at Shaw's. The Cottage in Laguna is an excellent place for breakfast as a consolation to staying dry. Enjoy.
Orange County: http://cdip.ucsd.edu/models/san_pedro.gif
San Diego: http://cdip.ucsd.edu/models/san_diego.gif
Los Angeles: http://cdip.ucsd.edu/models/santa_monica.gif

Kevin

ChrisM · Sep 10, 2004

Yup, there's even a 3 day look-ahead "experimental" wave model

miket · Sep 10, 2004

I find this list of links to be great for local dive planning.

Diver Net So Cal Dive Weather Page

- MikeT

mccabejc · Sep 10, 2004

As we found last weekend, be careful of the data. It appears that one model uses only a single buoy located way up north to measure swells, then feeds that info into a computer model to simulate the swells elsewhere. Therefore, for south swells like we experienced last weekend from the hurricane, the buoy doesn't see them until they have passed us (if it sees them at all). So for south swells the best it may tell you is that the swells were really big yesterday.

MaxBottomtime · Sep 10, 2004

Swell models are a lot like weather forecasters. Some are right about 20% of the time, while the rest are never right. Here's one of the better ones.
http://diver.net/weather/wimg.shtml?cdip.ucsd.edu/models/spc.gif

ChrisM · Sep 10, 2004

Despite all these smart people in front of their supercomputers.......there's only ONE way to know what the swells and waves are like at a particular location.

MaxBottomtime · Sep 10, 2004

ChrisM:
Despite all these smart people in front of their supercomputers.......there's only ONE way to know what the swells and waves are like at a particular location.

Well, two actually. For many beach dives, I like to check here first.
http://watchthewater.co.la.ca.us/

So Cal Wave Model

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