Conditions at Ribeira Quente in September
September: Autumn Awakens
September marks the first visible stirring of the Atlantic engine. Average swell height pushes back up to 5.6ft (1.7m), and the period stretches to 10.4 seconds - enough to build some push. The direction is still predominantly NNW (25.3%), but noticeable jumps in the NW (15.1%) and W (5.6%) figures hint that distant storms are starting to crank again. Although these north-westerly swells don't face Ribeira Quente directly, they create swell shadows and eventually the S/SW angles we rely on become more frequent.
Wind remains welcoming: offshore flow sits at 44 percent. Water is still warm at 23.0°C, and air temps peek at 25.1°C before the autumn transition. This is a great month for classic Azorean shoulder-season surfing - warm sun, clean texture, and an honest chance of chest-high swell in that open south-facing pocket.
Average Spot conditions at Ribeira Quente in September
Swell history for September
Wind history for September
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Ribeira Quente during September. 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 Ribeira Quente for your next trip in September.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Ribeira Quente for September. 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 Ribeira Quente.