Conditions at El Frontan in December
December: Peak Season - Deep Swell and the Cleanest Wind
December is the standout month of the year at El Frontan. The average swell holds at 5ft (1.5m), and the period is a solid 12.2s, with the North Atlantic at its most active. Swell direction is again excellent: NNW 32.7%, NNE 19.0%, NW 14.7% and N 13.8% combine for 80% of the energy, with a wider spread of W/NW energy adding further variety. The waves are powerful, long-period, and ready to light up the coast when conditions align.
What really sets December apart is the wind. Ideal offshore flow occurs 28% of the time, the highest of any month, thanks to the frequent southerly and southwesterly winds associated with Atlantic lows. NE winds drop to 23.5%, while SSW and SW winds reach a combined 11.7%. These offshore windows turn an already pumping swell into exceptional, glassy surf. Water temp is 20.7°C, air averages 19.0°C, and precipitation is highest at 0.87mm/day - a small price to pay for the best waves of the year.
Average Spot conditions at El Frontan in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at El Frontan 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 El Frontan for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at El Frontan 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 El Frontan.