Conditions at Salinas in September
September: Autumn Awakens
September is the hinge month when Salinas starts to wake up. The average swell rises to 3.5ft (1.1m) and the period jumps to 10.2s, pushing quality back toward the fun and rippable range. The direction mix remains excellent: NW 45.5%, NNW 31% and WNW 6%, with a bigger share of 3-5ft (1-1.5m) energy and a noticeable return of 5-6ft (1.5-2m) sets. Ideal offshore winds improve to 49%, as the S/SW/WSW breezes start to reappear between summer highs. The ocean water is still warm at 19°C, air temps average 17.8°C, and the first autumn lows begin to tap the North Atlantic's deep-water swell machine. September can deliver the classic 'summer water, winter waves' combination - it's one of the most underrated months.
Average Spot conditions at Salinas in September
Swell history for September
Wind history for September
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Salinas during September. 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 Salinas for your next trip in September.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Salinas for September. 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 Salinas.