Conditions at Cote des Basques in November
November: Storm Track Intensity and Heavy Water
November brings serious, sustained swell back to Cote des Basques. The average height is 5ft (1.6m) with a period of 11.9 seconds, and the wave rose shows a powerful WNW and NW dominance, with 76 percent of directions combined. More importantly, the distribution has shifted into the solid category: 1.5-2m (5-7ft) and 2-2.5m (6-8ft) swells account for around one-third of the total, with bigger slabs starting to appear.
The ideal wind window is 43 percent. November is also the wettest month of the year, with average precipitation of 4.76 mm/day, because the jet stream and frontal systems are fully active over the Bay of Biscay. Water temperature falls to 15.5°C and air temperatures average 12.2°C, so it is time to bring the winter rubber. When the wind holds offshore or cross-offshore, the long-period WNW lines march down the beach with real intensity. This is the beginning of the prime winter window.
Average Spot conditions at Cote des Basques in November
Swell history for November
Wind history for November
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cote des Basques during November. 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 Cote des Basques for your next trip in November.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cote des Basques for November. 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 Cote des Basques.