Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Wednesday 5 12 21 morning call

Hookipa yesterday afternoon.


Kai Lenny went for an "old school" windsurfing downwinder with some friends. Here he's ripping up a bump at Lanes.

3am Surfline significant buoy readings and discussion.
South shore
Barbers

1.9ft @ 11s from 204° (SSW)
1.4ft @ 18s from 188° (S)

Lanai

1.5ft @ 17s from 191° (SSW)

New long period energy at the buoys, let's how Pat Caldwell described the evolution of the fetch:

Another wide, strong zonal pattern unfolded S to SE of NZ 5/4-5 with seas over a narrow fetch growing over 30 feet aimed at the Americas. Angular spreading should place the onset locally 5/11 PM with the event filled in 5/12 PM at most near the summer average from 175-195 degrees.

This same SE NZ weather pattern took on a more NE track 5/6 at the eastern edge of the Hawaii swell window (near 160W). While still in the Hawaii swell window due south of Hawaii about 4000 nm, the winds were mostly gales (dominant wave period 15s). As the low moved east of the Hawaii swell window 5/7-8, it strengthened to severe gales (dominant wave period 17s) with a more straight north aim of seas. The former and latter should arrive simultaneously in Hawaii even with the former getting a day head start (shorter period swell travels slower). A close call for specific size with the near miss to the east locally, but high odds for at least summer average surf from this event. This source could have long-period onset Friday 5/14 from 175-195 degrees and be filled in 5/15 above average.

Below are the maps of May 5 to 8 that will help follow.

Check the Lahaina or Kihei webcams if interested, for size, conditions and consistency. Unfortunately early observation doesn't show much at all (and likely saved me a trip), it's probably extremely inconsistent.
Unless you leave in the dark, always check the camera first. Yep, I'm not going for this.


North shore
N
3.6ft @ 10s from 326° (NW)

Waimea
3.3ft @ 10s from 332° (NNW)

Pauwela

3.8ft @ 9s from 44° (NE)
3.6ft @ 10s from 330° (NW)

NW energy reappeared at some of the buoys and was definitely in the water yesterday all day, as the photos above show. It should provide some sets also today, probably completely gone by tomorrow. Home guess for Hookipa is around head high in the sets.

Forecast and energy spectrum of Pauwela from this PACIOOS page.



Wind map at noon. The other ones can be found here (click on animation of the 10 meter column).



Fetches map
(circles legend: red: direct aim, blue: angular spreading, black: blocked) from Windy.
North Pacific
(about 4 days travel time from the NW corner of the North Pacific):



South Pacific
(about 7 days travel time from east/west of New Zealand):



Morning sky.

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