Conditions at Pavoa de Varzim in December
December: Winter Solstice, Maximum Power
December delivers the full force of the North Atlantic to Pavoa de Varzim. Average swell height is 2.6m (8.5ft) and the average period stretches to 12.3s, tying with the winter months for the most powerful, long-period waves of the year. The wave rose is dominated by NW (17.3%), WNW (16.1%) and W (7.0%), with a significant uptick in WSW (3.5%), SW (2.1%) and SSW (0.9%) - the most westerly swell-friendly mix of the year for this west-southwest-facing spot. Frequent deep low pressure systems in the North Atlantic, sometimes enhanced by a negative NAO, keep the swell pump firmly on.
Wind statistics are the best of the year: ideal offshore winds blow 54% of the time, the highest percentage in the calendar. This is the classic cold continental high meets Atlantic low pattern, producing extended periods of offshore E/ENE winds and glassy surfaces. The trade-off is winter weather: air temperatures average 10.6°C, water temperature cools to 13.7°C, and precipitation is 4.67 mm/day, so expect cold fronts, rain and occasional storm surf. But when the sky clears and the offshore wind blows over a long-period groundswell, December offers some of the heaviest and most memorable waves of the year at Pavoa de Varzim.
Average Spot conditions at Pavoa de Varzim in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Pavoa de Varzim during December. 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 Pavoa de Varzim for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Pavoa de Varzim for December. 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 Pavoa de Varzim.