Conditions at Refsnes in December
December: Deep Winter Peak
December stands as one of the most powerful months at Refsnes. Average swell height is 7ft (2.2m), average period rises to 8.9s, and the W/WSW/SW window remains the bread-and-butter direction, accounting for more than a quarter of all wave observations. The storm tracks are at their most active, and long northwesterly fetches can also wrap into the area and add extra size. With water temperature falling to 7.8°C and air temperatures averaging just 3.9°C, the atmosphere is raw; precipitation is heavy at 6.35 mm/day, often falling as sleet or wet snow near the coast.
The reward is consistency. Ideal offshore wind conditions occur 19 percent of the time, tied for the best of the year, and the period near 9s gives the swell enough weight to hold up under a stiff offshore breeze. The classic December setup is a deep low near Iceland with a trailing cold front that swings the wind into the E/NE quadrant just as the W/SW swell peaks. It is cold, demanding and occasionally overwhelming - but when it all lines up, Refsnes offers the heaviest and most memorable waves of the season.
Average Spot conditions at Refsnes in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Refsnes 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 Refsnes for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Refsnes 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 Refsnes.