The opening, or the default, page displays five-day forecasting graphs showing wave height, period and swell direction for that area. The map on the LEFT shows regional DEEP WATER WAVE HEIGHTS. To see a looping sequence of how wave heights will progress over the next 120 hours (five days), click on the word "LOOP" in the upper right-hand corner of the chart. To freeze the map at any point in the future, click on one of the numbers to the left of the word "LOOP". If you click on the number 48, for instance, the map shows what wave heights (or periods) will be like two days from today. (Note: If the LOOP doesn't work, try clicking "Reload" or "Refresh" while holding down the Ctrl key.)

The "You Are Here" pointer shows which of the various regional zones you've chosen. To check out nearby regional forecasts, click on one of the dots.

The graph on the RIGHT shows the forecasted surf heights at the better spots throughout the region of up to four different swells. Surf heights are are the expected breaking wave heights in shallow water measured by the face or front of the wave from crest to trough. These heights are calculated from the deep water swell height, direction, and swell period. Usually, there is more than one swell in the water in any given area, which can complicate forecasting efforts. Here, each swell has its own color-coded line on the graphs. The red line on the height chart (H) will have a corresponding red number on the wave-period chart (T) and a corresponding red line on the direction chart (D). This helps you detect serious surf-producing long-period swells amid the clutter of localized wind swells.

This is similar to the "Deep Swell Only" page, except here, every swell is tracked, including short period wind waves. This page helps forecasters to see all the waves in the water, including local chop and all energy within the entire wave spectrum. Though much of the energy is not relevant to surfers, this information is useful to boaters, fishermen and other marine interests.

This is another good device for sifting out worthless swells from the good ones and is especially helpful if you know what period swell works best at your favorite break. Each swell period is denoted by a colored line (blue for six seconds, orange for 13 seconds, purple for 20 seconds, etc.) on the wave-height chart, allowing you to measure whether there are any swells in the water with a particular wave period. Look for steady inclines in the red and the purple lines (14 to 33 seconds).

The five rows of colored numbers below the graph show the dominant periods over the next five days.

This is a fairly self-explanatory page that shows forecast wind speed, wind direction and barometric pressure over the next five days.
U = wind speed (in knots)
D = wind direction (in degrees)
P = barometric pressure level (in millibars)

On the directional graph, 360 is the same as 0, so sudden top-to-bottom spikes on that graph simply mean that the wind is shifting between north-northwest and north-northeast.

(California only - located below the map to the left of Regional, Pacific, Global)

This is HOT! This is one of LOLA's best features, showing forecast wave heights and tide charts for small, specific surf zones on the U.S. West Coast. Many spots and beach towns are labeled on the maps. You can easily use this model to locate where the waves will be biggest along the coast, and where they won't be....

The Local Swell Model adjusts the deep water swell heights as the waves filter in through offshore islands and wrap around points of land. It also shows the effects of refraction as the swells begin to shoal over shallower water like the continental shelf. Swell direction and swell period play a huge role in the processes here.

(Note: If the LOOP doesn't work, or one chart loops but the other doesn't, try clicking Reload" or "Refresh" while holding down the Ctrl key.)

We will be adding many more Local Swell Model areas soon including Hawaii and the East Coast.