Avalanche • Statistics for July

July: Maximum Size, Minimum Convenience

July is the heart of the southern winter and produces the biggest average surf at 7.9ft (2.4m) with a 12.5s period. There is no shortage of ocean energy: SW and SSW swells combine for nearly half of all observations-26.2% plus 23.2%-with most waves falling in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) range. But Avalanche is an exposed NNE-facing beach that needs a very specific direction, and that direction is almost completely absent. Instead, local winds are dominated by WSW at 15.9% and W at 15.1%, with a strong NNW component at 11.2%-the classic signature of a stormy South Atlantic frontal belt. Ideal offshore wind sits at just 19 percent. The few good days are reserved for the brief clearing window behind a front, when the wind goes light SW and the storm swell has backed off enough to produce cleaner 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) sets. Winter air temps reach only 15.9°C, while water is 17.7°C.