Surf Forecast for Cortes Bank
type: Dataset
description: 10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Cortes Bank, 100mi off San Diego, USA
about: Cortes Bank
  type: TouristAttraction
  geo: GeoCoordinates
    latitude: 32.47
    longitude: -119.17
  description: Cortes Bank is surfing's most remote big wave venue—an underwater mountain rising from the seafloor 100 miles off the San Diego coast. When massive Pacific storms generate huge W-NW swells, waves break on the shallow reef at heights that rival anything on Earth: 70-100 foot faces have been documented. Getting there requires a major boat expedition and perfect weather windows. The wave breaks maybe 3 days per year. Cortes Bank represents big wave surfing at its most logistically extreme and potentially largest scale.
summary:
  best day:
    date: 2026-08-10
    score: 15
    category: Poor
    explanation: Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-10 with a score of 15/100 (Poor)
  firing days count: 0
  overall recommendation: Poor conditions overall: Average score 3/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-04
  day index: 0
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 11
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 306° is 25° off optimal 281°, workable but not ideal.
      swell size:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 2.2m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 11s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 16 km/h from 309° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: -21
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: true
        explanation: -21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
      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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (306°), size (2.2m), or wind (16 km/h from 309°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 2.2
      height ft: 7.2
      direction degrees: 306
      direction cardinal: NW
      period s: 11
      explanation: 2.2m (7.2ft) swell from 306° (NW) at 11s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 16
      speed mph: 9.9
      direction degrees: 309
      direction cardinal: NW
      explanation: 16 km/h (10 mph) from 309° (NW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.7
      direction degrees: 197
      direction cardinal: SSW
      period s: 11
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-05
  day index: 1
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 11
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 305° is 24° off optimal 281°, workable but not ideal.
      swell size:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 1.3m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 11s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 5
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 13 km/h from 331° (NNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: -11
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: true
        explanation: -11 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
      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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (305°), size (1.3m), or wind (13 km/h from 331°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1.3
      height ft: 4.3
      direction degrees: 305
      direction cardinal: NW
      period s: 11
      explanation: 1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 305° (NW) at 11s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 13
      speed mph: 8.1
      direction degrees: 331
      direction cardinal: NNW
      explanation: 13 km/h (8 mph) from 331° (NNW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.6
      direction degrees: 202
      direction cardinal: SSW
      period s: 10
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-06
  day index: 2
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.95
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 11
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 305° is 24° off optimal 281°, workable but not ideal.
      swell size:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 10s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 17 km/h from 304° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: -4
        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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (305°), size (1.0m), or wind (17 km/h from 304°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1
      height ft: 3.3
      direction degrees: 305
      direction cardinal: NW
      period s: 10
      explanation: 1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 305° (NW) at 10s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 17
      speed mph: 10.6
      direction degrees: 304
      direction cardinal: NW
      explanation: 17 km/h (11 mph) from 304° (NW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.4
      direction degrees: 226
      direction cardinal: SW
      period s: 14
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-07
  day index: 3
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.92
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    summary: Poor conditions at Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (219°), size (0.9m), or wind (18 km/h from 290°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
provider: Strike Mission
date published: 2026-08-05T00:29:54.595Z
temporal coverage: 2026-08-04/2026-08-13
data sources: Open-Meteo Marine API (swell/wave data)
data sources: Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)

swell direction:
  score: 0
  out of: 25
  explanation: No alignment: Swell from 219° is outside workable range 270°-292°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
swell size:
  score: 0
  out of: 25
  explanation: Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
swell period:
  score: 2
  out of: 25
  explanation: Short period: 15s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
wind:
  score: 0
  out of: 25
  explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 18 km/h from 290° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.

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: 219
  direction cardinal: SW
  period s: 15
  explanation: 0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 219° (SW) at 15s period
wind:
  speed kmh: 18
  speed mph: 11.2
  direction degrees: 290
  direction cardinal: WNW
  explanation: 18 km/h (11 mph) from 290° (WNW)
secondary swell:
  height m: 0.5
  direction degrees: 219
  direction cardinal: SW
  period s: 8
windswell:
  height m: 0.3
  period s: 2
  explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-08
day index: 4
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.89
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 190° is outside workable range 270°-292°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 2
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 15s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 294° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
  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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (190°), size (1.2m), or wind (19 km/h from 294°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.2
    height ft: 3.9
    direction degrees: 190
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 15
    explanation: 1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 190° (S) at 15s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 19
    speed mph: 11.8
    direction degrees: 294
    direction cardinal: WNW
    explanation: 19 km/h (12 mph) from 294° (WNW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.5
    direction degrees: 317
    direction cardinal: NW
    period s: 5
  windswell:
    height m: 0.6
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-09
day index: 5
strike score:
  final score: 0
  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 191° is outside workable range 270°-292°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 2
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 13s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 5
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 12 km/h from 276° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
  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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (191°), size (1.2m), or wind (12 km/h from 276°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.2
    height ft: 3.9
    direction degrees: 191
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 13
    explanation: 1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 191° (S) at 13s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 12
    speed mph: 7.5
    direction degrees: 276
    direction cardinal: W
    explanation: 12 km/h (7 mph) from 276° (W)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.7
    direction degrees: 303
    direction cardinal: WNW
    period s: 5

date: 2026-08-10
day index: 6
strike score:
  final score: 15
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.83
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 9
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 313° is 32° off optimal 281°, barely within workable range 270°-292°.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.5m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 10s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 17
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 197° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
  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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (313°), size (1.5m), or wind (7 km/h from 197°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.5
    height ft: 4.9
    direction degrees: 313
    direction cardinal: NW
    period s: 10
    explanation: 1.5m (4.9ft) swell from 313° (NW) at 10s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 7
    speed mph: 4.3
    direction degrees: 197
    direction cardinal: SSW
    explanation: 7 km/h (4 mph) from 197° (SSW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.8
    direction degrees: 182
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 11

date: 2026-08-11
day index: 7
strike score:
  final score: 13
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 9
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 313° is 32° off optimal 281°, barely within workable range 270°-292°.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.6m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 10s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 15
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 248° (WSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
  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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (313°), size (1.6m), or wind (7 km/h from 248°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.6
    height ft: 5.2
    direction degrees: 313
    direction cardinal: NW
    period s: 10
    explanation: 1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 313° (NW) at 10s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 7
    speed mph: 4.3
    direction degrees: 248
    direction cardinal: WSW
    explanation: 7 km/h (4 mph) from 248° (WSW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.7
    direction degrees: 174
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 10

date: 2026-08-12
day index: 8
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 9
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 312° is 31° off optimal 281°, barely within workable range 270°-292°.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.7m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 11s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 20 km/h from 303° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
  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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (312°), size (1.7m), or wind (20 km/h from 303°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.7
    height ft: 5.6
    direction degrees: 312
    direction cardinal: NW
    period s: 11
    explanation: 1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 312° (NW) at 11s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 20
    speed mph: 12.4
    direction degrees: 303
    direction cardinal: WNW
    explanation: 20 km/h (12 mph) from 303° (WNW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.8
    direction degrees: 173
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 10
  windswell:
    height m: 0.5
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-13
day index: 9
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 14
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 299° is 18° off optimal 281°, workable but not ideal.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.3m is below minimum 18.3m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 2
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 14s is below minimum 18s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 24 km/h from 302° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
  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 Cortes Bank. Either swell direction (299°), size (1.3m), or wind (24 km/h from 302°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.3
    height ft: 4.3
    direction degrees: 299
    direction cardinal: WNW
    period s: 14
    explanation: 1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 299° (WNW) at 14s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 24
    speed mph: 14.9
    direction degrees: 302
    direction cardinal: WNW
    explanation: 24 km/h (15 mph) from 302° (WNW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.8
    direction degrees: 172
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 10
  windswell:
    height m: 0.4
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

Strike Mission
type: Organization