Jan Juc • Statistics for December

December: Early Summer Lull with Morning Chances

December wraps up the year on the quieter side. Average swell height is about 5ft (1.5m), the period is back at 11.1s, and ideal wind is just 22%. The swell direction remains SW-heavy at 47.8% and SSW at 23.8%, with a return of SE and SSE swell components around 8%. There's still decent Southern Ocean swell rolling through, but the shorter periods and inconsistent size mean it doesn't always reach the bank with the same authority as winter.

The main limitation is wind. SSE (12.4%), SE (12.2%) and S (9.0%) dominate, and the strong summer sea breeze cycle is back. The saving grace is that water temperature rises to 16.7°C, air temperature averages a mild 16.2°C, and rainfall is moderate at 1.76mm/day. Early mornings, light offshore winds, and a lingering long-period SW swell can still produce fun waves, but patience is required. Look for synoptic setups where a cold front has cleared and a high pressure ridge allows winds to swing from the NW before the sea breeze takes over.