Conditions at Pico da Mota in August
August: Midsummer Flatline, Patience Required
August is nearly identical to July, with the Atlantic still locked in summer doldrums. Average swell height remains at 4.9ft (1.5m), and the period is a lackluster 9.0s. The swell direction is still overwhelmingly from the N/NW quadrant, with WNW 10.9%, NW 34.0% and NNW 48.3%, and the wave heights mostly sit in the 3-6ft (1-2m) range. Wind remains the limiting factor: ideal surf windows are only 6% of the time. NNW winds account for 54.2% of the wind rose, with N at 14.8%, so Pico da Mota is frequently blown out and messy. The surf is usually small and lumpy, though the occasional weak longer-period pulse can still show up. Water temp climbs to 18.5°C, air temps average 19.9°C, and precipitation is a meager 0.34 mm/day. August is best approached with low expectations and a grovel board.
Average Spot conditions at Pico da Mota in August
Swell history for August
Wind history for August
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Pico da Mota during August. 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 Pico da Mota for your next trip in August.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Pico da Mota for August. 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 Pico da Mota.