Conditions at Luz in January
January: Atlantic Heavyweight on the Doorstep
The North Atlantic is at its most muscular in January, with the average swell height reaching 8ft (2.4m) and a long-period 13.1s. The wave rose tells a story of relentless WNW and NW energy (16.9% and 27.5% respectively), with NNW contributing another 9.4%. But at south-facing Luz, this is only a teaser. The directions that truly work here - SE, SSE, S, and SSW - total a meagre 1.2%, meaning the bay spends most of the month sheltered and fat, with the big Atlantic lines raking the more exposed west coast. Still, when those rare southern lines align with a N or NNW breeze (ideal wind just 38% of the time), the combination can produce heavy, grinding waves in the 6-10ft (1.8-3m) range. Air temperatures hover around 13.8°C, water 15.9°C, and rain is frequent (1.96 mm/day), so bring a good hood and a positive attitude.
Average Spot conditions at Luz in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Luz 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 Luz for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Luz 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 Luz.