Cannon Beach • Statistics for March

March: Transitional Power

March is the bridge between winter and spring, and it is still capable of producing excellent Cannon Beach surf. Average swell height is around 7ft (2.1m) with a period of 11.9s, and the swell direction is heavily biased toward W (30 percent), WNW (19 percent) and WSW (18 percent). The west-facing beach continues to see a high percentage of 1.5-2.5m groundswell, although the averages start to tick down from the winter peak as the storm track gradually weakens.

Wind becomes the bigger variable this month. Ideal offshore winds from E/ENE/ESE/SE occur only about 14 percent of the time, and the wind is considered ideal for surfing just 26 percent of the time. March is peak S/SSW wind season in the Pacific Northwest, with combined S and SSW winds near 27 percent, meaning many swells arrive with rain and bumpy texture. When a strong offshore gradient develops behind a cold front, the surf can still be world-class, but patience and close attention to the pressure charts are essential. Air temps average 6.9°C, water temp is 9.7°C, and winter rubber remains mandatory.