El Silencio • Statistics for September

September: Spring Stirrings and S-Swell Influence

September is still very much a winter swell month. The average height remains at around 6-7ft (1.9m), and the period sits at 12.9s. S swell reaches its yearly peak at 19% of the directional distribution, with SSW at 73%. The south component can make the swell slightly less aligned to the SW-facing beach, creating more peaky, shifting lines, while the dominant SSW energy keeps the size solid. Sets in the 6.5-8ft (2-2.5m) range are common, so the paddle-out is a serious commitment.

Wind conditions begin to shift subtly, but not necessarily in the right direction. S winds are very strong in the distribution at 39%, SSW at 38%, and SW has increased to 16% - including a notable 10-20kph component. Ideal wind remains at 1%. Water temperature ties its annual minimum around 15.2°C, while air temperatures average 16.8°C. As spring progresses, the sun gets stronger and occasionally burns off the morning marine layer, but El Silencio still needs that rare E/NE breeze to become truly rippable.