Conditions at Gaztetape in January
January: The North Atlantic Roars
January is the heart of winter at Gaztetape, and the data shows why. Average swell height clocks in at 2.1m (around 6-7ft) with a powerful average period of 12.7 seconds - right in the 10-14s 'powerful, long period' range. The wave rose is dominated by NW (28%) and WNW (26%) swells, both of which line up perfectly with the beach's NNW exposure. The bulk of the swell energy sits in the 1-2.5m (3-8ft) band, meaning the sandbar is routinely pumping. The wind regime is also favorable: southerly and southwesterly winds - blowing directly offshore - occur 42% of the time, keeping the faces clean and hollow. When the Atlantic low-pressure train aligns, expect thumping, long-period NW groundswell with light offshores: this is Gaztetape at its finest.
Air temperatures average 9.8°C with water at 13.3°C, so thick rubber is the order of the day. Rainfall is plentiful at 3.65 mm/day, often accompanying the frontal passages that drive the swell.
Average Spot conditions at Gaztetape in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Gaztetape 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 Gaztetape for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Gaztetape 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 Gaztetape.