24 



apt to range considerably in direction and be fairly weak. 

 Only light and moderate swell will accordingly be generated 

 and dispatched toward Santa Monica Bay. 



Two to three storms a month of this type occur on the 

 average during the winter which dispatch significant swell 

 to Santa Monica, and one to two in the summer. 

 North Boundary of the Pacific High 



Whenever the Pacific High becomes elongated and migrates 

 to the south, westerly winds blowing along its north flank 

 generate waves which can reach the bay from bearings between 

 about 225° and 280°. This situation is most likely to occur 

 in the winter. Usually the winds are not greater than Force 

 4 in strength, and although the fetches and durations may be 

 great, the resulting swell is moderate. Swell arriving from 

 these areas may be expected to have periods of about 10 to 12 

 seconds and heights not exceeding three or four feet. 



Since this generation area, and others associated with it, 

 contribute swell from nearly westerly directions which is low 

 and of only moderate length, it is of no great importance to 

 the bay shore. In addition, its low frequency of occurrence 

 should further bear this out, for it is estimated that it 

 occurs only about once a month during the winter and somewhat 

 less often in the summer. 

 Hawaiian Lows 



The Hawaiian Lows originate in the expanse of ocean two 

 or three hundred miles north of the Hawaiian Islands. Such 

 lows are apt to remain stagnant for several days or even a 

 week before moving slowly to the northeast. Winds within 



