Surf Forecast for Catherine Hill Bay
type: Dataset
description: 10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Catherine Hill Bay, Central Coast NSW, Australia
about: Catherine Hill Bay
  type: TouristAttraction
  geo: GeoCoordinates
    latitude: -33.1667
    longitude: 151.6333
  description: Catherine Hill Bay is a heritage-listed mining village with a quality right-hand reef break that peels along the southern headland. The historic jetty and mining infrastructure create a unique backdrop for surfing. The wave breaks over a rock and reef bottom, producing long, workable walls with occasional barrel sections on the right swell. Being between Sydney and Newcastle, the spot can get crowded on good days, but it's worth the paddle. The village itself is charming, with the old miners' cottages now heritage-protected.
summary:
  best day:
    date: 2026-08-05
    score: 58
    category: Fair
    explanation: Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-05 with a score of 58/100 (Fair)
  firing days count: 0
  overall recommendation: Poor conditions overall: Average score 36/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-05
  day index: 0
  strike score:
    final score: 58
    category: Fair
    category emoji: 😐
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 8
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 155° is 35° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
      swell size:
        score: 9
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 0.6m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 14
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
      wind:
        score: 25
        out of: 25
        explanation: Light offshore: 9 km/h from 291° (WNW). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Surfable but not special at Catherine Hill Bay. The 0.6m swell from 155° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 0.6
      height ft: 2.0
      direction degrees: 155
      direction cardinal: SSE
      period s: 10
      explanation: 0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 155° (SSE) at 10s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 9
      speed mph: 5.6
      direction degrees: 291
      direction cardinal: WNW
      explanation: 9 km/h (6 mph) from 291° (WNW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.4
      direction degrees: 121
      direction cardinal: ESE
      period s: 9
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-06
  day index: 1
  strike score:
    final score: 20
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: No alignment: Swell from 178° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
      swell size:
        score: 3
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 0.8m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 8
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
      wind:
        score: 18
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 21° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (178°), size (0.8m), or wind (6 km/h from 21°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 0.8
      height ft: 2.6
      direction degrees: 178
      direction cardinal: S
      period s: 9
      explanation: 0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 178° (S) at 9s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 6
      speed mph: 3.7
      direction degrees: 21
      direction cardinal: NNE
      explanation: 6 km/h (4 mph) from 21° (NNE)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-07
  day index: 2
  strike score:
    final score: 28
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.95
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 2
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 174° is 54° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
      swell size:
        score: 3
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 0.7m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 8
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
      wind:
        score: 16
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 90° (E). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (174°), size (0.7m), or wind (6 km/h from 90°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 0.7
      height ft: 2.3
      direction degrees: 174
      direction cardinal: S
      period s: 9
      explanation: 0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 174° (S) at 9s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 6
      speed mph: 3.7
      direction degrees: 90
      direction cardinal: E
      explanation: 6 km/h (4 mph) from 90° (E)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.4
      direction degrees: 158
      direction cardinal: SSE
      period s: 9
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-08
  day index: 3
  strike score:
    final score: 25
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.92
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 2
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 174° is 54° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
      swell size:
        score: 5
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (174°), size (0.9m), or wind (6 km/h from 143°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
provider: Strike Mission
date published: 2026-08-05T03:10:08.316Z
temporal coverage: 2026-08-05/2026-08-14
data sources: Open-Meteo Marine API (swell/wave data)
data sources: Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)

score: 8
out of: 25
explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.

score: 17
out of: 25
explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 143° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.

wind history:
  adjustment: 0
  groomed: false
  morning sickness: false
  explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
windswell penalty:
  adjustment: 0
  windswell degraded: false
  explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
secondary swell bonus:
  adjustment: 0
  explanation: No secondary swell bonus.

swell:
  height m: 0.9
  height ft: 3.0
  direction degrees: 174
  direction cardinal: S
  period s: 9
  explanation: 0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 174° (S) at 9s period
wind:
  speed kmh: 6
  speed mph: 3.7
  direction degrees: 143
  direction cardinal: SE
  explanation: 6 km/h (4 mph) from 143° (SE)

date: 2026-08-09
day index: 4
strike score:
  final score: 22
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.89
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 5
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 73° is 47° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
    swell size:
      score: 5
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 9
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 10° (N). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (73°), size (0.9m), or wind (11 km/h from 10°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.9
    height ft: 3.0
    direction degrees: 73
    direction cardinal: ENE
    period s: 9
    explanation: 0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 73° (ENE) at 9s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 11
    speed mph: 6.8
    direction degrees: 10
    direction cardinal: N
    explanation: 11 km/h (7 mph) from 10° (N)

date: 2026-08-10
day index: 5
strike score:
  final score: 34
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.86
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 58° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 12
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.4m is 0.4m from ideal 1.8m.
    swell period:
      score: 14
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 21
      out of: 25
      explanation: Strong offshore: 21 km/h from 282° (WNW). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -3
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (58°), size (1.4m), or wind (21 km/h from 282°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.4
    height ft: 4.6
    direction degrees: 58
    direction cardinal: ENE
    period s: 10
    explanation: 1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 58° (ENE) at 10s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 21
    speed mph: 13.0
    direction degrees: 282
    direction cardinal: WNW
    explanation: 21 km/h (13 mph) from 282° (WNW)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.7
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-11
day index: 6
strike score:
  final score: 32
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.83
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 183° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 12
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.4m is 0.4m from ideal 1.8m.
    swell period:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Perfect period: 12s is at or above ideal 12s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
    wind:
      score: 5
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 312° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (183°), size (1.4m), or wind (19 km/h from 312°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.4
    height ft: 4.6
    direction degrees: 183
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 12
    explanation: 1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 183° (S) at 12s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 19
    speed mph: 11.8
    direction degrees: 312
    direction cardinal: NW
    explanation: 19 km/h (12 mph) from 312° (NW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.4
    direction degrees: 135
    direction cardinal: SE
    period s: 9
  windswell:
    height m: 0.4
    period s: 2
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-12
day index: 7
strike score:
  final score: 29
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 187° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 9
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.1m is 0.6m from ideal 1.8m.
    swell period:
      score: 14
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 21
      out of: 25
      explanation: Strong offshore: 22 km/h from 276° (W). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -3
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (187°), size (1.1m), or wind (22 km/h from 276°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.1
    height ft: 3.6
    direction degrees: 187
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 10
    explanation: 1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 187° (S) at 10s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 22
    speed mph: 13.7
    direction degrees: 276
    direction cardinal: W
    explanation: 22 km/h (14 mph) from 276° (W)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.5
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-13
day index: 8
strike score:
  final score: 54
  category: Fair
  category emoji: 😐
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 2
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 173° is 53° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
    swell size:
      score: 12
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.4m is 0.4m from ideal 1.8m.
    swell period:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Perfect period: 12s is at or above ideal 12s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
    wind:
      score: 19
      out of: 25
      explanation: Light offshore: 9 km/h from 231° (SW). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Surfable but not special at Catherine Hill Bay. The 1.4m swell from 173° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.4
    height ft: 4.6
    direction degrees: 173
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 12
    explanation: 1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 173° (S) at 12s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 9
    speed mph: 5.6
    direction degrees: 231
    direction cardinal: SW
    explanation: 9 km/h (6 mph) from 231° (SW)

date: 2026-08-14
day index: 9
strike score:
  final score: 55
  category: Fair
  category emoji: 😐
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 176° is 56° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
    swell size:
      score: 20
      out of: 25
      explanation: Good size: 1.9m is within 15% of ideal 1.8m.
    swell period:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Perfect period: 12s is at or above ideal 12s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
    wind:
      score: 15
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 130° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Surfable but not special at Catherine Hill Bay. The 1.9m swell from 176° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.9
    height ft: 6.2
    direction degrees: 176
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 12
    explanation: 1.9m (6.2ft) swell from 176° (S) at 12s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 7
    speed mph: 4.3
    direction degrees: 130
    direction cardinal: SE
    explanation: 7 km/h (4 mph) from 130° (SE)

Strike Mission
type: Organization