Monterey conditions. (let's keep it going )

[elgoog]

Not sure if I want to plan my OW checkout dives for 2/25 and 2/26, but I might if the surge isn't too bad at Breakwater. Anyone with a crystal ball have a hunch?

Next weekend looks MUCH nicer - North California Surf Report (STORMSURF) (click on the link "Sea", left-most tab just above the image and it shows an animation that goes out a week) and Buoy Forecast 46042 (STORMSURF) (same data in tabular format)
Of course, the forecast isn't as reliable this far out compared to 2-3 days before. I am definitely going diving that weekend.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Yes, it looks like I'm penciled in for that weekend. Norcal gets some heavy rain on Monday but that's not going to have any influence is it.

 

[JellyMan777]

NOAA 5-day forecast
Windfinder 10-day forecast (Wharf 2)
CDIP model for Monterey Bay

Note that the projections for 2/22 and 2/23 are near the storm threshold. Expect some chop and also debris in the water column due to the storm and wind/wave action. Conditions improve significantly by next weekend.

 

[Chavodel8en]

So I was looking at conditions this weekend looking really good, and the bright sun just says "Go Dive" to me.

And then I read that all the beaches are closed b/c the storms have made the coast into one giant petri dish.

CURSE YOU MOTHER NATURE!!

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Yes, we are going to try to cert. on the weekend of March 4 and 5. I'm canceled out for this weekend due to Monterey shutting down the beach. They have resumed pumping sewage after an electrical outage stopped the regular sewage pump/s.

And of course that allowed effluent/sewage to flow onto the beach. Hope it clears quickly. I was looking forward to the OW cert. this weekend.

If anyone has a link to check for beach closure or opening due to the sewage spill that would be great.

 

[chris_the_brit]

I'm booked this weekend on the Beachhopper and they say they are still going out, that it's not an issue beyond the beaches. Anyone know if that's normal/a good idea?

 

[elgoog]

Monterey Beach Condition Hotline - (800) 347-6363

 

[JellyMan777]

Stillwater Cove is also affected by the warning. I just got off the phone with the clubhouse and they reported that a sign warning of contamination is now posted on the beach.

Lobos might be okay, but it's probably a good bet that sites all the way down to Monastery are probably pretty turbid from the runnoff of the Carmel River and other creeks that drain into the ocean.

 

[elgoog]

I called the Monterey Health Dept - all beaches, including Pt Lobos, are closed. The next water test will be on Tuesday at the earliest (72hr after the forecast storm)

 

[raftingtigger]

Interesting. I was diving at Pt. Lobos today and was told that Carmel beaches were closed, but they let us and at least 2 other teams dive.

First dive was to HITW, Lone Metridium, and then a little beyond that. Once out of the cove and below 35' it opened up to a pleasant 20-25'.

Second dive was the end of Middle Reef. Viz was 10-15' with lower closer to the cove. In both cases we surfaced outside the cove (due to the viz) and swam in from there.

I am planning on diving there again tomorrow. I suspect the runoff through the inhabited areas are the worst, so I'm not too worried for my safety.