Umdloti • Statistics for November

November: Shortening Periods and Sticky Conditions

November resembles the summer pattern: average wave period drops to 8.9s, ideal wind is down to 21%, and rainfall ramps to 3.03 mm/day. The swell direction is still workable: S 17.9%, SSE 17.8%, E 15.9%, SE 15.3%, ENE 14.0% and ESE 13.1%. There is no shortage of swell size at 1.7m average, and the ENE quadrant again shows 4.4% in the 2-2.5m class. But the energy is less organized. The shorter period means waves crumble and close out more easily on the banks, especially when the NE (17.7%) and ENE (12.9%) winds are up. SSW is also strong at 16.8%, giving the coast a cross-shore push that can make the lineup shifty. With air temps at 22.0°C, water at 22.9°C, and frequent late-afternoon thunderstorms, November is mostly a dawn-patrol month. However, if a tropical low forms in the Mozambique Channel, it can throw a solid E or ENE swell at Umdloti, which - if the wind plays along - will make the month worthwhile.