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Vila Praia de Ancora • Statistics for January

Conditions at Vila Praia de Ancora in January

January: Maximum Winter Muscle

January is the heaviest month of the year at Vila Praia de Ancora. The average swell height sits around 9ft (2.7m) with an average period of 12.9s, placing the surf firmly in the powerful, long-period category. The swell rose is dominated by WNW at 19% and NW at 14%, with W and WSW adding another 9%, meaning the beach is incredibly well exposed to the main North Atlantic energy. The bulk of the waves arrive in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) range, so pumping, heavy, firing conditions are the norm rather than the exception.

On the wind side, ideal conditions clock in at 54% for the month. East through southeast winds, especially ENE/E/ESE, provide clean offshore mornings, and the 10.1% NNW and 9.5% NNE components remind you that winter mixes in cold fronts and cross-shore slop. With air temperatures averaging only 9.1°C and water temperature at 13.2°C, this is full winter rubber territory. Chase the high-pressure windows between Atlantic lows and you will be rewarded with some of the best, most powerful surf of the year.

Average Spot conditions at Vila Praia de Ancora in January

Swell history for January

0 - 2
2 - 3
3 - 5
5 - 6
6 - 8
> 8 ft

Wind history for January

0 - 6.2
6.3 - 12.4
12.4 - 18.6
18.6 - 24.9
24.9 - 31.1
> 31.1 mph

Swell quality

Analyze the groundswell consistency at Vila Praia de Ancora 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 Vila Praia de Ancora for your next trip in January.

Ground swell

Ground swell by size

Wind conditions

Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Vila Praia de Ancora 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 Vila Praia de Ancora.

Swell with good wind

Swell with good wind by size

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