Conditions at La Salbaje in December
December: The Winter Peak
December delivers La Salbaje's biggest and most powerful machine surf of the year. The average swell height sits at 6-7ft (2.0m), the period at 12.4 seconds, and the wind profile still shows ideal offshore conditions 31 percent of the time. The dominant swell directions are a classic winter menu: NW at 29.6 percent, WNW at 20.4 percent, and NNW at 10.1 percent, with plenty of energy in the 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft) band and even some oversized, charging sets.
The synoptic pattern is defined by intense Atlantic lows and a very active jet stream. SSW wind is the most frequent direction at 16.5 percent, with S close behind at 12.2 percent, meaning the offshore quadrant is extremely well represented. But strong W and WNW winds can also blow hard during post-frontal intervals, so wind-swell and storm chop are part of the game. Water temp has cooled to 14°C, air sits at 10.8°C, and rain is frequent. This is peak season: heavy, powerful, and not for the faint-hearted.
Average Spot conditions at La Salbaje in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at La Salbaje 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 La Salbaje for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at La Salbaje 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 La Salbaje.