LOLA is a global swell model that is continuously updated and corrected with
real-time information from orbiting satellites, buoys, and other sources. As
a result, LOLA forecasts can change daily. The most accurate information for
upcoming swell events will always be found on the Surfline Forecasts,
produced by our team of surf forecasters with all of the latest updates.
NEW LOLA Tips and Information by Sean Collins...
More information and LOLA tips can be found at
http://www.surfline.com/surfline/help/intro.cfm
At any given time at any location around the world, we may have numerous
swells present at the same time and place. Not every swell will reach every
surf spot however, so with a little local knowledge, surfers can determine
which swells are best for their favorite spots. Basically, if your spot is
open to the swell direction there should be waves, but there are often many
other factors affecting the surf. The best procedure is to simply make a
note of when your surf spot is really good, and then remember or write down
what the swell factors were on LOLA and the buoys so you can look for the
same situation again in the future.
Depending on the swell direction, swell size, and swell period, every surf
spot may react differently to each independent swell. LOLA filters through
all of the data to create independent wave data for each separate swell so
surfers can have better information to decide when and where to surf. For
more information about swell periods and directions check out Sean's
Surfology 101
The "Surf Height" tab: By analyzing each swell's deep water direction,
height, and swell period, this product calculates the larger breaking wave
heights of the surf to be found at the best spots in this area of coastline
open to the swell direction. The color coded text below the graph matches
the color of the same independent swell creating the surf height in the
graph. In the text for each swell, the dominant swell period (T = time in
seconds) is on top, while the mean or center of the swell direction (D = the
direction the swell is coming from in degrees) is just below the swell
period.
To the far right of the colored text is the "Swell Direction Spread", which
will show the width of the overall swell direction by a "plus or minus"
number compared to the center direction. For example: If the swell direction
is from 300 degrees with a plus and minus 8 in the far right column, then
the swell direction range would be between 292-308 degrees, and centered on
300 degrees. Generally, swells with a very narrow swell direction spread of
less than 5 degrees will be more focused in a few certain areas, while
swells with wide swell direction spreads of more than 15 degrees will be
able to get into many more spots.
Other factors affecting the surf may be the angle of the coastline, wave
shadowing by offshore islands and points of land, and refraction (wrapping)
of swells over shallow offshore banks or reefs. Please note, that Surfline
forecasters analyze all of these factors so the latest, most accurate
information will always be found in the daily Surfline reports and the
Surfline forecast, as well as the Local Swell model which covers the mainland US and Hawaii.
The "Swell Tracking" tab: This is a "forward looking product" often based on
forecasted wind information, which may have not even happened at the time of
this forecast. The shorter term 3-5 day forecasts are more accurate, while
the longer term forecasts over 5 days are subject to more change depending
on the location of the storms and distance away from the forecasted point.
As a rule, if the storm has already happened, the forecasts are very
accurate. While this is a great product to alert yourself to potential
swells on the far horizon, please refer to the Surfline forecast for
definitive information on specific araes as these swells develop.
Directions: This list of degrees and directions will help you to use LOLA.
In the marine community, directions for swell, waves, and wind is always
termed for the direction it is coming "from". For example: A Northwest wind
and/or swell will come from the Northwest between 293-338 degrees.
| Abr. | Direction | Degrees | Degree Range |
| N | North | 0/360 | 338-23 |
| NE | Northeast | 45 | 23-68 |
| E | East | 90 | 68-113 |
| SE | Southeast | 135 | 113-158 |
| S | South | 180 | 158-203 |
| SW | Southwest | 225 | 203-248 |
| W | West | 270 | 248-293 |
| NW | Northwest | 315 | 293-338 |
We welcome you to Surfline Premium Services including LOLA. If you're a
Premium subscriber and need to contact customer service with any problems
please email premium@surfline.com or call 1-800-229-7873 ext. 0. For
feedback or more questions about LOLA please email LOLA@surfline.com.
Thanks for your support!
Sean Collins and the Surfline staff...
"Know Before You Go"
