Conditions at Popov Island in December
December: Deep Winter, Highest Reliability
December is the center of the surf season. Average swell height climbs to 0.8m (2.5-3ft) with a 5.0s period, and NNW swell is everywhere (38%), followed by N (13%) and NW (7%). The wind regime shifts almost entirely to the offshore sector: NNW 36%, N 17%, NW 10%, and WNW 6%, giving an ideal wind score of 19%. The conditions are raw and cold, but the consistency of offshore flow means the smaller S/SSW/SW/WSW swell that squeezes through, about 24% of the total, has a real chance to break cleanly. The largest N/NNW pulses can reach 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft), though they are often stormy and short-period.
Air temperatures average -7.0°C, water is 1.9°C, and precipitation is low at 0.52mm/day. December isn't a world-class expedition, but it is Popov's best bet for surfable, groomed waves through the winter.
Average Spot conditions at Popov Island in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Popov Island 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 Popov Island for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Popov Island 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 Popov Island.