Conditions at El Barco in December
December: Prime Time on the North Coast
December is El Barco at full strength. Average swell height reaches 1.7m (5.6ft) with periods around 9.4s, and the distribution is loaded with the most powerful angles of the year. ENE is still the top source at 42.7%, but NE adds 26.9%, NNE 11.0%, and the N/NNW window adds another 3.4%. When the North Atlantic really cranks, those N and NNE pulses wrap into the bay with serious push, producing some of the best waves you will find all year.
The trade winds are still a factor-E and ESE dominate at 30.2% and 25.0%-but ideal conditions run 46% of the time, mostly during cleaner dawn windows and after frontal passages. The holiday season also tends to bring more offshore southerly flow as high pressure settles over the islands, giving El Barco its classic glassy, groomed texture. Air temperatures average 25.2°C, water is a pleasant 27.2°C, and rainfall eases to 1.84mm/day. This is the month to plan your trip if you want size, power and real north swell potential.
Average Spot conditions at El Barco in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at El Barco during December. 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 El Barco for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at El Barco for December. 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 El Barco.