13th Beach • Statistics for August

August: Consistency and Long-Period Power

August continues the winter assault with a slightly longer average period of 12.5s - the second-highest of the year - and the same average wave height of around 6ft (1.7m). SW swell is even more dominant than July, accounting for 37% of all wave energy, with WSW at 18% and SSW at 9.5%. The Southern Ocean storm track is still firmly in the Bight producing regular, powerful groundswell. Wind conditions remain excellent: offshore flow from the N, NNE, NE and NNW window sits at 33.3%, onshore SSE-SW winds are a low 15.1%, and ideal wind is observed 25% of the time. The main difference from July is a bit more westerly character in the waves and a slightly more settled pattern at times, which can lead to prolonged stretches of groomed conditions. Water temp is still extremely cold at 11.2°C, with average air temps of 11.2°C and 2.76 mm/day of rain, so expect winter storms, brisk air, and all-time 13th Beach sessions when the timing aligns.