Pacific Storm & Surf Forecast (Stormsurf)

Buoy 233 (Pearl Harbor)/Buoy 239 (Lanai)/Buoy 238 (Barbers Pt): Seas were 3.2 ft @ 14.3 secs with swell 2.2 ft @ 13.4 secs from 252 degrees. Water temp 77.2 degs (Barbers Pt), NA (Lani 239), 76.5 (Pearl Harbor 233).
Buoy 106 (Waimea): Seas were 5.0 ft @ 12.5 secs with swell 3.2 ft @ 12.9 secs from 305 degrees. Water temp 76.1 degs.
Buoy 46025 (Catalina RDG): Seas were 3.0 ft @ 14.7 secs with swell 2.4 ft @ 14.2 secs from 279 degrees. Wind calm. Water temperature 57.7 degs, 59.7 (Topanga 103), 58.5 degs (Long Beach 215), 59.7 (Del Mar 153), 58.6 (Imperial Beach 155). At Harvest Buoy (071) primary swell was 4.8 ft @ 13.7 secs from 284 degrees. At Santa Monica (028) swell was 2.0 ft @ 13.7 secs from 263 degrees. At Oceanside (045) swell was 2.0 ft @ 13.9 secs from 247 degrees. Southward at Pt Loma (191) swell was 2.4 ft @ 14.8 secs from 273 degrees. Water temp 59.7 degs.
Buoy 46012 (Half Moon Bay)/029 (Pt Reyes): Seas were 6.7 ft @ 13.3 secs with swell 4.9 ft @ 12.6 secs from 288 degrees. Wind at buoy 46012 was north at 12-14 kts. Water temp 52.2 degs (Pt Reyes 029), 53.8 (46026), NA (SF Bar 142), and 53.8 (Santa Cruz 254).

PACIFIC OVERVIEW
Current Conditions
On Tuesday (2/8) North and Central CA had set waves at 1-2 ft overhead at top spots and lined up and glassy with good form. Protected breaks were chest high and lined up and fairly closed out but clean. At Santa Cruz surf was waist to chest high and clean and lined up but soft. In Southern California/Ventura waves were waist high or so on the sets and lined up and with good form but pretty ruffled from northwest wind. Central Orange County had sets to waist to chest high and lined up and clean but inconsistent. South Orange County's best summertime breaks were thigh high and soft and clean with some light texture on top. North San Diego was flat to thigh high and lined up if not closed out and soft and clean. Hawaii's North Shore had sets at 1-2 ft overhead on the face and lined up and clean with good form. The South Shore was thigh to waist high and lined up but pretty textured from trades early. The East Shore was waist to chest high and chopped from moderate east trades.

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

Meteorological Overview
On Tuesday (2/8) swell from another gale developed while lifting north through the far Western Gulf on Thurs-Fri (2/4) with 40 ft seas aimed east was fading in Hawaii and California. Another gale formed on the dateline on Sun-Mon (2/7) lifting northeast with up to 36 ft seas aimed east. A secondary gale is to form over the Northwest Gulf Tues-Wed (2/9) producing up to 35 ft seas aimed northeast. A bit of a break and then perhaps a broader gale to form over the Dateline Sat-Mon (1/14) producing 29-34 ft seas aimed south what east with secondary energy possible behind that.

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

Overview
Jetstream
On Tuesday (2/8) the jet was consolidated pushing firmly east off Japan on the 34N latitude line running east over the dateline to 170W with winds 180-190 kts feeding a broad shallow trough just west of the dateline offering some support for gale development. East of there the jet split at 170W with the northern branch pushing northeast over Northern Canada supporting nothing but high pressure east of the split point. Over the next 72 hours no real change is forecast except winds fading some to 160 kts on Thurs (2/10) but with no clearly defined troughs forecast offering nothing more than what is occurring now to support gale development. If anything the split point is to retrograde to the dateline. Beyond 72 hours starting Fri (2/11) winds to build over Japan to 180 kts with a trough starting to dig out just west of the dateline offering good support for gale development. By Sun (2/13) winds to build off Japan to 200 kts feeding the trough west of the dateline offering good support for gale development with the split point at about 170W. By Mon (2/14) the trough is to start pinching off with a healthy flow of winds in the northern branch of the jet ridging into Alaska and down the Canadian Coast and then down over Oregon on Tues (2/15). The split point is to retrograde to the dateline at that time. It appears the Inactive Phase of the MJO is to cause the jet to split further west allowing high pressure over the Gulf of Alaska to retrograde west and possibly opening the US West Coast to backdoor fronts falling down from Canada.

Surface Analysis
On Tuesday (2/8) residual swell from a gale that developed while moving from the dateline to the Northwestern Gulf with seas building to 38 ft was fading in Hawaii and CA (see Northwestern Gulf Gale below). Swell from another gale that developed over the dateline was propagating towards HI and CA (see Another Dateline Gale below).

Over the next 72 hours a secondary system associated with Another Dateline Gale (below) was forming in the Northwestern Gulf on Tues AM (2/8) producing a small area of 35-40 kt west winds with seas building from 23 ft at 41.25N 159.5W aimed east. In the evening 50 kt west winds are to be over the far Northwestern Gulf with seas 32 ft at 44.75N 161W aimed east. Fetch is to be fading Wed AM (2/9) in the Northern Gulf from 45 kts with seas 35 ft at 49.5N 152.75W aimed east. The gale to fade from there. Something to monitor.

Oahu: Small sideband swell to arrive later on Fri (2/11) building to 3.1 ft @ 13 secs later (4.0 ft). Dribbles fading on Sat (2/12) from 3.2 ft @ 12-13 secs (4.0 ft). Residuals on Sun (2/13) fading from 2.7 ft @ 11 secs (3.0 ft). Swell Direction: 315 degrees

North CA: Swell arriving in sync with swell from Another Dateline Gale (see below).

Northwestern Gulf Gale
On Wed PM (2/2) another small gale was building just west of the dateline with 45 kt west winds over a tiny area and seas building from 23 ft at 34.5N 172E aimed east. The gale was racing east-northeast on Thurs AM (2/3) with 45-50 kt west winds and seas 26 ft at 38N 176W aimed east. In the evening the gale lifted northeast with 55 kt west winds and seas 38 ft at 44N 168.25W aimed east. On Fri AM (2/4) the gale was approaching the Eastern Aleutians with 50 kts west winds and seas 38 ft at 48.75N 163.25W aimed east. In the evening the gale was fading over the East Aleutians with 35-40 kts west winds and seas 32 ft at 54.25N 159.25W aimed east.

Oahu: Dribbles on Tues (2/8) fading from 3.2 ft @ 12 secs (3.5 ft). Swell Direction: 310-315 degrees

Another Dateline Gale
Yet another gale developed on the dateline Sun AM (2/6) producing 45-50 kt west winds with seas building from 31 ft at 38.5N 177.25E aimed east. In the evening 45-50 kt west winds were just east of the dateline lifting northeast over a decent sized area with seas 35 ft at 41.25N 175.5W aimed east. Fetch was fading in coverage at 40 kts while pushing northeast Mon AM (2/7) with seas 34 ft at 43.25N 167.75W aimed east. The gale was fading fast in the evening with 35-40 kt west winds and seas fading from 29 ft at 48N 157.5W aimed east. The gale dissipated from there.

Oahu: Expect swell arrival on Wed (2/9) building to 4.0 ft @ 14 secs later (5.5 ft). Swell fading on Thurs (2/10) from 3.6 ft @ 12-13 secs early (4.5 ft). Dribbles on Fri (2/11) fading from 3.0 ft @ 11-12 secs early (3.5 ft). Swell Direction: 317 degrees

North CA: Expect swell arrival on Thurs (2/10) building to 4.5 ft @ 16 secs later (7.0 ft). Swell fading on Fri (2/11) from 4.3 ft @ 15 secs early (6.0-6.5 ft). Dribbles on Sat (2/12) fading from 2.9 ft @ 13 secs (3.5 ft). Swell Direction: 290-295 degrees

Wed (2/9) north winds are forecast at 10 kts for Cape Mendocino and north-northeast 10 kts for the reminder of North CA early and north 5-10 kts for Central CA early holding all day.
Thurs (2/10) a light northeasterly flow is forecast for all of North and Central CA early fading to near calm later but north-northeast 10 kts for Cape Mendocino all day.
Fri (2/11) northeast winds are forecast at 1-5 kts early for all of North and Central CA early turning northwest 5-10 kts later.
Sat (2/12) a light north to northeast flow is forecast at 5 kts early for all of North and Central CA fading to calm later.
Sun (2/13) wind to be calm early for North and Central CA turning northwest 10 kts in the afternoon.
Mon (2/14) high pressure arrives with northwest winds 15 kts early for all of North and Central CA building to 25-30 kts for North CA later and 20 kts for Central CA later.
Tues (2/15) Northwest winds are forecast at 30-35 kts for North CA early and 25 kts for Central CA building for North CA to 35 kts later and fading in Central CA to 210-15 kts later.

Freezing level 11.000 ft today building to 12,000 ft 2/9-2/12 then slowly falling to 8,000 ft on 2/16 and holding.

Tioga Pass/Pacific Crest Trail intersection forecast: Temps - Freeze Level (more here - scroll down to 'Resort Snow Forecasts>Central CA or North CA Caltrans & Backcountry')

Overview
Surface Analysis
No swell producing fetch has occurred of is forecast.

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

Beyond 72 hours a bit of a break is forecast then a new gale is to start building west of the dateline on Sat AM (2/12) with 35-40 kt northwest wind and seas building from 23 ft at 38.25N 170.5E aimed east. In the evening fetch is to be building to 40-45 kts over a solid area on the dateline from the northwest and west with seas building from 27 ft at 35.75N 173E aimed southeast. On Sun AM (2/13) the gale is to be lifting north and the dateline with 40-45 kt northwest and west winds and seas 26 ft over a broad area at 38N 180W aimed east and southeast. In the evening the dateline is to retrograde west with west winds 40-45 kts over the North Dateline region with seas 28-32 ft aimed east at 45N 175E aimed east. On Mon (2/14) fetch is to be fading from 35+ kts over the North Dateline region with seas 29-31 ft at 47N 170E aimed east. Fetch gone in the evening.

Perhaps another gale is to be building just west of the dateline Tues AM (2/15) producing westerly winds at 40-45 kts with 30 ft seas at 39.5N 166.6E aimed east. In the evening west winds to be 50 kts just west of the North Dateline region with 33 ft seas at 43.25N 175E aimed east. Something to monitor.

La Nina Evaporating - Kelvin Wave Pushing East
Summary - Cool subsurface water volume peaked under the equatorial Pacific on 10/15/21, beating last years volume, but is quickly fading at the surface in the East Equatorial Pacific. A stronger than expected Active Phase of the MJO in Dec has produced a Kelvin Wave that is plodding east through the Central Pacific. Water temps appear to be warming over the entire East Pacific, though still in La nina territory for the moment. A return to a more normal cadence of Active and Inactive MJO phases is starting now. It seems the the peak of La Nina is behind us. But the atmosphere will take much time to respond.

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: In 2019 warm equatorial waters were 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. A bit of a recovery tried to occur during Fall of 2019, with weak warm water building in the Nino 1.2 region, but cool water held in a pool off Peru. By April 2020 a cool pool was starting to build, forming a well defined cool tongue that evolved into La Nina, with it fully developing through July 2020. A slow dissolving of La Nina started in March 2021 with 2 Kelvin Waves sweeping east and arriving over the Galapagos in June. Weak warming set up over the equator with no cool waters present. NOAA declared La Nina dead. But cold water returned in July 2021 and a second pulse of La Nina developed and is continuing today, though possibly weaker with its foundation appearing to be in decline.

Rationale: It was assumed that the moderate La Nina from the Winter of 2020/2021 was on the wane and that a return to neutral ENSO state would set up over the Pacific Basin through the summer of 2021. But La Nina made a strong return by the end of Sept much like what the CFS model suggested would happen. A full double dip La Nina pattern took hold as we moved into November with this second La Nina dip being nearly as strong as the previous one. But a quick fade is forecast as we move into late December with the CFS predicting a return to a neutral wind anomaly pattern at that time and the low pressure bias making headway in to the KWGA in early Jan. Still it will take some time for the atmosphere to fully respond, resulting in a less than normal swell production forecast especially for Fall into early Winter. But by later in Feb 2022 perhaps a return to a more normal pattern might take hold. But it will be too little too late. As a result a significantly reduced number of storm days and storm intensity is expected Oct-Feb 2022, resulting in a below normal level of swells, with swell being below normal duration and period. But by March 2022, the number of storm days, intensity and duration of those storms should start improving as La Nina fades out. The status of the PDO is not known, though it appears to be returning to at least a neutral state, rather than the warm phase as previously projected thereby having no significant positive or negative effect on the long term outlook.

KWGA/Equatorial Surface Wind Analysis (KWGA - Kelvin Wave Generation Area - The area 5 degrees north and south of the equator from 170W to 135E)
Analysis (TAO Buoys): As of (2/7) 5 day average winds were strong from the east over the Eastern equatorial Pacific and strong east over the Central Pacific and strong east over the KWGA. Anomalies were modest east over the East equatorial Pacific and modest east over the Central Pacific and modest east over the KWGA. (Note: These are 5 day average winds, versus realtime, so they lag what is happening today (by about 2.5 days).
1 Week Forecast (GFS Model): On (2/8) modest to moderate east anomalies were filling the KWGA. The 7 day forecast calls for east anomalies holding unchanged in coverage and strength through the end of the model run on 2/15.

MJO/WWB/Wind Projections:
OLR Models: (2/7) A moderate Inactive MJO was indicated over the KWGA. The statistical model suggests it is to build some on day 5 of the model run peaking on days 10 and 15 filling the KWGA at strong status. The dynamic model projects the same.
Phase Diagrams 2 week forecast (ECMF and GEFS): (2/8) The statistical model depicts the Active Phase was weak over the Central Indian Ocean and is forecast slowly moving to the Maritime Continent and strength unchanged for the next 15 days. The dynamic model suggests Active Phase holding over the Central Indian Ocean for the next week at modest strength then pushing east to the West Maritime Continent at day 15 of the model run at moderate strength.
40 day Upper Level Model (assumed to be a statistical mode and 1 week ahead of what is occurring at the surface): (2/7) A weak Active MJO signal (wet air) was depicted over the Central Pacific today. The forecast indicates the Active Phase (wet air) steadily moving east tracking into Central America on 3/4. The Inactive Phase (dry air) is to be building over the West Pacific in earnest starting 3/4 at weak status filling the equatorial Pacific weakly at the end of the model run on 3/19. No Active Phase (wet air) is to follow. This model seems lost.
4 Week CFS Model (850 mb wind): (2/7) The Inactive Phase of the MJO was depicted starting to move into the KWGA today with modest easterly anomalies filling the KWGA. The forecast has east anomalies building in coverage and strength filling the KWGA at near strong status 2/14-2/26 as the Inactive Phase makes it;s push east across the KWGA and east of it on 2/28. East anomalies are to be slowly fading as the Active Phase start pushing in the the West KWGA at the end of the model run on 3/7.
3 Month CFS Model (850 mb wind): (2/8 - using the 5th ensemble member - the mean of the 4 individual members which are all from the 00Z run - 1 run per day): Today the Inactive Phase was peaking over the KWGA with modest east anomalies filling the KWGA. The forecast has east anomalies slowly tracking east over the KWGA peaking in strength 2/16-2/24 on the dateline as the Inactive Phase pushes east and then fully moves east of the KWGA on 3/2 with east anomalies fading fast. Today a coherent Active Phase of the MJO was starting to push east over the western KWGA but stalling, then finally pushing east filling it on 3/2 with west anomalies moving east from the Maritime Continent into the West KWGA on 2/18 then filling it on 3/12. The Active Phase is to hold over the KWGA through 4/7 with moderate west anomalies filling the KWGA starting 3/5 and holding into 4/5. The Inactive Phase is to develop 3/25 in the West KWGA tracking east through the end of the model run on 5/8 but with neutral to weak west anomalies in control the whole time. The low pass filter indicates a high pressure bias with 1 contour line was centered a bit east of the dateline with its western perimeter at 170E today retrograding west some then pushing to and east of the dateline 4/7 and slowly easing east from there. A broad single contour low pressure bias is established centered over the Maritime Continent at 100E with it's leading edge at 135E and barely in the KWGA but is forecast starting to move decidedly east into the KWGA on 3/21 quickly filling 75% of the KWGA and building further east to nearly the dateline at the end of the model run as a second contour builds. Today a solid east anomaly pattern that had been in control of KWGA since early July is gone. A return to a normal MJO alternating pattern is developing. And the low pressure bias is to start building over the dateline region in early April signaling the full demise of La Nina. That said, there is only one more Active MJO forecast for this winter, in the late Feb/early March timeframe meaning only one more shot at support for some sort of gale/swell production.

Subsurface Waters Temps
TAO Array: (2/8) Today in the far West Pacific the 29 degree isotherm was steady at 174E. The 28 deg isotherm line was steady at 177W. The 24 deg isotherm was easing east at 120W. Anomaly wise, warm anomalies +3 deg C were steady with their leading edge moving east to about 115W and showing signs of stalling there. Cool anomalies were fading at -1 degs C 75 meters down at 100W and tracking east. The hi-res GODAS animation posted 2/2 indicates a Kelvin Wave pushing east with 4-5 degs warm anomalies with its eastern edge at 110W with cool anomalies at -3 degs C 25 meters down and pushing to the surface at 100W while rapidly fading in coverage. The GODAS animation appears to be 1 week behind the TAO data but also is more detailed and accurately modeled.
Sea Level Anomalies: (2/2) Sea heights were negative over the East equatorial Pacific from Ecuador to 110W at -5 cms and losing coverage quickly. Otherwise positive anomalies were steady, locked at the dateline but with a finger of 0 to -5 cms on the equator from the dateline to 110W. A weak Kelvin Wave is pushing east. La Nina is trying to hold on but appears to be getting significantly challenged by warmer water encroaching from the west. Per the Upper Ocean Heat Anomaly Histogram La Nina subsurface cold temperatures are rapidly collapsing while being pushed east by the Kelvin Wave. Warm water was fast moving east with it's leading edge today at 114W. All this signals the demise of La Nina.

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 Qualitative Analysis: (2/7) The latest images depict a broad stream of cool water on the equator extending west from just off Ecuador peaking from the Galapagos to 110W then weaker west of there before dissipating on the dateline. The core of this pool is rapidly fading in intensity and coverage day by day. Its pretty amazing how quick the demise is occurring. The classic La Nina pattern is in quick retreat. There are signs of warming along the coasts of Chile and Peru. An area of warm water was holding just north of the equator across the entire North Pacific. Overall this indicates the demise of La Nina.
Hi-res 7 day Trend (2/7): Warming was occurring from Ecuador west on the equator to 120W but with a thin stream of cooling between the Galapagos and 120W. Warming was occurring off all of Chile and Peru too out to 120W.
Hi-res Overview: (2/7) The magnitude of the core of the La Nina cool pool is fading quickly if not collapsing. But weaker residual cool waters were still covering a large area from Peru up to the equator and west to the dateline. Cooler than normal waters were also south of that line down to 20S though losing coverage and intensity. Warmer than normal waters were aligned from 3N and above over the entire North Pacific. La Nina is solid but appears to be fading focused over the equatorial East Pacific.
Nino1.2 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (2/8) Today's temps were falling some to -1.451 after rising to -0.650 degs on 1/9 and that after being down at -1.871 on 1/3 and -1.954 on 12/18, the lowest this year so far. Previously temps dropped on 11/24 at -1.700, the lowest in months after previously toggling steady at about -0.6 degs from mid Aug to Oct 6, then falling from there. Last year temps bottomed out at -2.138 on 8/13/20. The longterm trend has been steadily downward.
Nino 3.4 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (2/8) Today's temps were rising slightly at -0.546 after reaching a peak low of -1.096 on 1/3 beating the previous low of -1.080 on 11/2, the lowest in a year. Prior to that temps had been in a freefall starting from the -0.175 range in early Sept. Before that temps peaked up at 7/1 +0.332, the highest in a year. Temps previously had been steady near -0.222 since early March. Temps bottomed out at -1.654 on 11/3/2020.

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

SST Anomaly Projections
CFSv2 Uncorrected Data (2/8) - Temps rose in early Nov 2020 after bottoming out at -1.25 degs, up to -0.01 degs in mid-June 2021 then fading to -0.3 degs through Aug down to -1.05 degs in mid-Nov and holding. The forecast indicates temps slowly toggling upwards to -0.70 degs in Feb then falling to -1.1 degs in May only to resettle at -0.95 degs in the July and beyond. This is not believable. This model suggests we are at or almost past the peak of La Nina temperatures this Winter. But there is no indication that El Nino will develop and if anything we'll fall into a weak steady state La Nina beyond. The PDF Corrected forecast suggests the same as the uncorrected version. Still, neither of these forecasts seems realistic (see IRI Consensus forecast below).
IRI Consensus Plume: The Jan 13, 2022 Plume depicts temps are -0.960 degs today and have bottomed out. They are to warm to -0.586 degrees in March, then rising to -0.011 degs in July and neutral after that. A return to ENSO neutral is expected this summer.
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 - this is a lagging indicator):
Today (2/8) the daily index was positive at +7.25 after peaking at +46.71 on 12/26. The trend of late has been towards positive readings the past 19 days after trending negative the month before. Previous notable peaks were +30.98 on 11/26, +36.90 on 9/28, +27.75 on 9/13 and +37.86 on 7/15.
The 30 day average was rising at +7.61 after falling to +0.83 on 1/27 then peaking at +13.07 on 12/31 (the highest in a year) after previously falling to +6.06 on 11/6 after peaking at +11.58 on 10/22. Before that it fell to -3.36 on 6/22, the lowest in a year. It peaked at +19.51 on 1/14.
The 90 day average was falling at +9.25 today after previously peaking at +10.90 on 12/26, falling to +7.10 on 11/1. It previously peaking on 9/21 at +9.80 after falling to it's lowest point in a year on 6/9 at +1.06. The 90 day average peaked at +15.75 on 2/23 (clearly indicative of La Nina then). This index is a lagging indicator but suggest La Nina is returning.

Pacific Decadal Oscillation
The PDO theoretically turned from a 16 year negative run (Jan 98-Feb 2014) in early 2014 and was positive till Dec 2019, but has been negative ever since, driven by recent La Nina conditions. In May-July 2021 it was the most negative its been in the -1.80 to -2.04 range since Sept 2012 (-2.99) and then fell to -3.16 in Oct 2021 (the lowest since July 1933) then settled at -2.72 in Nov and Dec 2021. Looking at the long term record, it seems likely we are still in the Cool Phase of the PDO (La Nina 'like') with no signs of moving to the positive/warm phase (El Nino 'like').

Local Interest
Stormsurf Video Surf Forecast for this week. See it Here
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