Westport Breakwater • Statistics for December

December: Summer Heat, Onshore Headaches

December is a fascinating month for Westport Breakwater because the swell direction finally turns more favorable, even as the wind quality struggles. The N/NW quadrant reaches its highest annual combined total of around 9.5 percent-N 0.9, NNE 0.6, NW 4.4, NNW 3.6-while WSW still provides the bulk of energy at 43.3 percent. The average swell height eases to 2.0m (6.5ft) and period to 11.3s, so the waves are a bit smaller and shorter in period, but the increase in N/NW swell means the breakwater can actually see some clean, direct swell from the favorable north side of the compass.

The problem is wind. Ideal surfing conditions are only 38 percent, and the onshore N/NNE/NNW/NW wind quadrant peaks at about 26 percent-the highest of the entire year. SW winds remain common at 19.5 percent, but the battle between summer seabreezes and the remnants of winter lows creates constant inconsistency. Water temp is a pleasant 15.9°C, air temp averages 14.2°C, and precipitation is 5.17 mm/day. December is for the optimist: when a southerly change sweeps clean over a passing NW swell, Westport Breakwater can deliver surprisingly good summer waves.