Ral Island • Statistics for September

September: The Calm Before the Monsoon

September is the beginning of the seasonal turn. Average wave height is still only 2.6ft (0.8m), but the average period rises to 8.9 seconds, a sign that the ocean is starting to organize again. ENE remains the top swell direction at 34.6 percent, NE at 24.7 percent and E at 15.1 percent. More importantly, NNE increases to 13.5 percent and N to 3.9 percent, bringing the favorable N-family total up to 21.3 percent. The distribution is still tilted toward small 2 to 3ft (0.5 to 1m) surf, but there are now occasional 3 to 5ft (1 to 1.5m) pulses from the NE and ENE.

The trade-wind regime remains in full effect with ideal surfing conditions at 66 percent, the best of the year. E, ESE and SE winds dominate the wind rose and keep the north-facing break clean. Air temperatures are around 28.1°C, water temperature is 29.3°C and rainfall drops to 5.49mm per day. September is a quiet month that rewards patience as the transition toward the northwest monsoon begins.