Forecast Cam

James
James
  • Updated

Important notes

  • Forecast Cam is a picture of the forecast, not a live photo. It’s a visual “mood board” to show what the day might look like — not an exact future snapshot.
  • Forecast Cam is different from the live Smart Cam. Smart Cam shows what’s actually happening now; Forecast Cam shows forecast-based imagery and they may not match.
  • Only spots with a camera will show Forecast Cam. If a spot has no cam, you won’t see the feature.
  • The feature is rolling out in app updates and tests, so availability can vary by app version or experiment group. Not yet available on the website.

 

How do I find Forecast Cam?

Open a spot page via the iOS app and look in the Live or Forecast area. If the spot has a camera and the feature is available for your app version, you’ll see the Forecast Cam module.

Screenshot 2026-01-28 at 17.59.45.png

 

Why does the Forecast Cam look different from the live camera?

Because it’s a forecast image (representative thumbnails), not the live feed. Expect differences — that’s normal.

 

I don’t see Forecast Cam — what should I try?

  1. Update the app to the latest version (or try the web site).
  2. Make sure the spot has a camera. If it doesn’t, the feature won’t appear.
  3. If the cam was turned off by forecasters/ops, Forecast Cam may be limited at that spot.
  4. If none of the above helps, try reinstalling the app and then email support with details.

 

Can I use Forecast Cam to judge exact surf height or conditions?

No. Use forecast graphs and Smart Cam readings for measurements. Forecast Cam is only for a quick visual sense of the day.

 

How do I report a problem or ask a question?

Email support@surfline.com with:

  • Spot name (or URL),
  • App or web, device + OS, and app version (if on mobile),
  • A short description and a screenshot or recording if you can.

We’ll look into it.

Related to

Was this article helpful?

/