Conditions at Cortegaoa in January
January: The North Atlantic Heavyweight
January is the heart of winter at Cortegaoa. Average swell height sits at 6ft (1.8m) with a powerful 12.7s period, and the wind is favorable an excellent 48% of the time. The swell window is dominated by WNW (46.7%) and NW (16.1%) groundswells, with a supporting dose of due W (15.8%) - all of which line up directly into the west-facing beach. This is prime Cortegaoa. The wave heights are in the pumping-to-heavy range (1.5-2.5m), and the long period gives the waves real push, especially on days with an offshore easterly flow. The pressure gradient between the Icelandic low and the Azores High often funnels firm ENE, E, and ESE winds along the coast, creating glassy conditions. Air temps average 10.4°C (51°F) with water at 13.6°C (56°F), so break out the 5/3 and a hood. The downside: it can rain - January sees 4.24 mm/day - but the surf quality is worth it.
Average Spot conditions at Cortegaoa in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cortegaoa during January. 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 Cortegaoa for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cortegaoa for January. 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 Cortegaoa.