clarify conflicting forecast

[beachbreak]

Can you please explain why the detailed forecast on the left has Cape May so small this weekend when the line graph to the right has it way bigger?

[jjcliff]

lol

I searched the forums because I thought this sounded familiar...

09-17-2008, 01:24 PM:

>>

beachbreak
Member

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chadwick
Posts: 35
cape may
the detailed forecast has friday only up to waist,but the line graph shows bigger?
why?
also,
why is cape may proper often forecast to have decent swell when it's flat there?

>>>

Swellinfo
Administrator

Join Date: May 2006
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,111
Images: 84

cape may is a tricky forecast, so please use the swellinfo forecast for this area as a guidance to help you make your own decision. This swell looks to have a fair amount of East in it, so this is good given the North current isn't too terrible.

As far as if they swell/surf plot lines dont match to the detailed forecast.... This will happen if the swell direction is outside of the swell window for the forecasted location. So where cape may faces south, and the more east facing breaks will see larger surf.

Due to the location inside the mouth of the bay, this is an extremely tidal surf area. You really need to have some local experience in order to know how it works best. Because there is only a couple of main areas to surf, your best bet is to do your homework and test out the waters.

[scotty]

Can you please explain why the detailed forecast on the left has Cape May so small this weekend when the line graph to the right has it way bigger?

in simple terms (at least how i picture it) the 7-8 foot swell is coming in out of the ENE. Cape may faces south or SSE so the swell has to bend 90 degrees before it breaks on the beach and loses nearly all of its size doing so. The Detailed forecast is for surf conditions, The graph is for swell conditions.

[beachbreak]

are you sure?
detailed forecast has saturday ankle to knee high,but graph of potential SURF height has it go up to head high.
where'd you get the surf vs.swell idea?
and yeah,the last time this happened i don't think it was clearly explained or clarified,and it still doesn't make sense that the detailed surf forecast is way different than the potential surf height graph.
if it's a swell height graph,it doesn't say that.
hence my polite request for some clarification.

[aka pumpmaster]

The graph is nice but the narrative is the source i rely on. Cm is a weird place. I've seen it raging well overhead 10 miles north and CM is knee high. if there's too much N in the swell it bypasses completely. You can see the swell on the horizon but nada at CM.

[scotty]

are you sure?
detailed forecast has saturday ankle to knee high,but graph of potential SURF height has it go up to head high.
where'd you get the surf vs.swell idea?
and yeah,the last time this happened i don't think it was clearly explained or clarified,and it still doesn't make sense that the detailed surf forecast is way different than the potential surf height graph.
if it's a swell height graph,it doesn't say that.
hence my polite request for some clarification.

Yeah i see what you mean...that is confusing. There is both a "potential surf height" graph and a "swell" graph. Dunno.

Either way, pumpmaster is right about too much north in the swell for south facing CM which I'd guess for saturday.

[beachbreak]

thanks,everybody.
hopefully micah will clarify for me.

[aka pumpmaster]

Is a rule the more north the swell, the smaller CM will be and too much north will make it flat.

[drivensurf]

I have a rule about cape may.... "it always sucks; dont go there". i have that written on a sticky note in my car for when i see the flag blow northeast.

[OBlove]

I always found cape may to be a place where people run and hide. i like to get to the source and see if size really matters. and who needs clarity? go check it. thats always pretty clear.