Conditions at Ericeira in January
January: Midwinter Muscle
January is the heart of winter along the Portuguese coast. The North Atlantic is firing on all cylinders, with an average swell height of 2.6m (8.5ft) and periods around 13s - firmly in the powerful long-period category. Swell direction is dominated by the NW quadrant, with WNW and NNW also well represented, so Ericeira's west-facing breaks are right in the firing line. Wind is the main variable: ideal offshore flow from the NE through ESE occurs 26% of the time, usually when Atlantic high pressure builds behind a cold front. On those days look for clean 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) sets, occasional XL bombs when the energy peaks. When the wind swings westerly, expect onshore chop and stormy conditions. With air temperatures averaging 11.5°C, water at 14.4°C, and frequent rain, a hooded winter suit is mandatory.
Average Spot conditions at Ericeira in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Ericeira 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 Ericeira for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Ericeira 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 Ericeira.