Why has the surf been so big at Atlantic Ocean beaches this summer?

Question

At beaches from Rhode Island to South Carolina, waves have been big this summer. Is there a weather pattern to explain this?

Answer 1

They are the result of Hurricane Bertha.  While remaining well out to sea it has been there for so long that big swells were generated by its winds, and they have been reaching the coast for some time now.

Answer 2

"Global Cooling" coming soon to a theatre near you.

Answer 3

In addition to Bertha, tropical storm Cristobal has formed today. The combination of these two systems is causing dangerous surf along the east coast. Make sure you're prepared for dangerous surfing and rip conditions. Some beaches may even close because it may be too dangerous to enter the water.

my weather website: www.stormchaoswx.com

Answer 4

Bertha and Cristobal

Answer 5

Hurricane Bertha generated large swells from the Carolina's through New England.  The storm was slow moving as it grazed Bermuda and was even at one time a Category 3 storm.

I was at Virginia Beach from July 6 - July 12 and they hoisted the rip tide and high surf flags on Thursday the 10th.  The surf was noticeably rougher the 2nd half of the week.

Now, Tropical Storm Christobal has formed off of the southeast coast of the United States with maximum sustained winds of  45 mph. about 130 miles east of Charleston, SC or 185 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras, NC.  The storm will parallel the coast all of the way up to Cape Cod and keep the seas rough a little while longer.