Conditions at Altura in October
October: Southern Energy Returns and the Surf Season Reawakens
October is a turning point on the Algarve. The North Atlantic storm track starts to intensify, and Altura responds with more swell from the south. Average height climbs to around 2ft (0.7m), period to 6.4s, and the swell mix becomes more organized. SE is the standout direction at 15.6 percent, while SSE 7.0 percent, S 4.5 percent and SSW 5.6 percent add to the direct south window; southwest also contributes a healthy 13.0 percent of background energy. Several 3-5ft (1-1.5m) pulses appear in the distribution, setting up the best surf since May. Winds are still transitional: NNW leads with 21.4 percent and NW is 9.1 percent, but ideal offshore conditions remain spotty at 25 percent as S and SW winds battle during frontal passages. Air temperature averages 19.8C, water stays warm at 19.7C, and rain totals rise to 2.20 mm/day. When a cold front clears in October, the combo swell can be excellent.
Average Spot conditions at Altura in October
Swell history for October
Wind history for October
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Altura during October. 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 Altura for your next trip in October.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Altura for October. 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 Altura.