Surfline and How to Read?

[Bad Beat Maker]

Hey guys, I just subscribed to Surfline and I'm trying to figure out how exactly to read the forecast.

Forecast for Saturday 4/7/2007

Saturday 4/7 8am
0.4 SWL
5.7 PER
306 DIR
1 - 2 SURF

Only thing I can guess is that the surf is the wave size? But for DIR (direction?) what is 306 and what is SWL and PER?

Also is there a beginners guide to forecasts? For example if there is W swell (west) does that mean the swell is going out towards the gulf or its coming in from the gulf? Also where can I read about stuff such as wind and how it affects surf. I know this is perhaps basic stuff I should have learned in high school, but I didnt ever imagine I'd be trying to learn how to surf later on in life.

Thanks in advance.
Fernando

[miamisurfer]

306 is the direction in degrees, SWL is the swell height and PER refers to the swell period(length in seconds between each swell). A west swell would come in from the gulf.

[nsidla]

Dude here's a quick lesson on ocean physics. The longer the period the more power the swell has. The swell height is simply the size of a swell but doesn't mean the waves will literally be that height on the beach unless the swell period is fairly high. Depends on the contour of the beach. For example: about a 4ft swell with a 11-13 second period here in Rhode Island at East Matunuck beach would produce overhead with a crap load of power. Of course the swell direction has to be heading towards the beach to do anything.

Also on a side note you could you Magic Seaweed instead of Surfline, and its free and probably has the area you surf with updated forecasts and current summaries all for free, and it's fairly accurate as well, sometimes the swells are rated harshly, for example 2 stars, ( you will understand if you go there) would probably create fairly decent surf.

[Bad Beat Maker]

Thanks appreciate it. Gonna check out magicseaweed, might just use the free month of surfline then. I like surfline cuz has reviews on surfspots and stuff like that.

[Bub]

Thanks appreciate it. Gonna check out magicseaweed, might just use the free month of surfline then. I like surfline cuz has reviews on surfspots and stuff like that.

I was recommended to MagicSeaweed and find it fairly accurate for the Mid-atlantic area. I like the webcam section as well. On day a guy I know went down to OCMD and I was stuck at work. I checked out the webcam from my desk and saw that although it was 75 and sunny here in Frederick MD (about 3 hrs inland) the fog was like peasoup all day at the beach and only about 60 degree air temp. He said the surfing was great that day (MagicSeaweed was pretty accurate) but kinda scary because he could barely see landmarkers through the fog.