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Conditions at La Rinconada in January
January: High Summer Groundswell
The South Pacific High keeps the marine layer calm in January, but La Rinconada still pulses with a solid 6.5ft (2.0m) average swell and a long 12.6s period. The wave rose is heavily loaded toward SW and WSW - together they account for well over 80% of the recorded energy - with only a small slice of more direct W swell and a trace of WNW/NW. That gives the northwest-facing beach slightly angled, refracted waves, but the long period helps them stand up and hold their shape. The majority of sets fall in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) class, with rare 8ft+ (2.5m+) bombs. Dominant winds are offshore from S/SSW/SW/WSW, blowing mainly 10-20kph, while onshore N/NW flow stays in the low teens; ideal surf wind sits at 47% of the time. With air temperatures around 15.2°C, water at 13.3°C and only 0.25mm/day of rain, this is dry, dependable summer surf.
Average Spot conditions at La Rinconada in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at La Rinconada during January. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at La Rinconada for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at La Rinconada for January. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at La Rinconada.