Llangennith • Statistics for December

December: Peak Season Arrives with Midwinter Punch

December delivers the goods. The average swell height reaches 5ft (1.5m) with a 10.0s period, and the western quadrant pumps steady groundswell into Llangennith. WSW dominates at 36.3%, W at 17.6%, SW at 8.2% and WNW at 5.5%, but the distribution is heavier than earlier in the year, with meaningful percentages in the 6-8ft (2-2.5m) bands and a real chance of waves over 8ft (2.5m). The wind is still the limiting factor: ideal offshore wind holds at just 7%, while W/SW winds are frequent and often strong. However, December is also the month of winter high-pressure blocking; when a ridge builds to the east, cold clear skies and offshore ENE-E winds can turn the beach into a world-class sandbar. Water temperature is 10.2°C, air averages 7.9°C, and precipitation is high at 4.41mm/day. It is the cold, wild, proper surf season at Llangennith, and for the dedicated surfer, there is nowhere else you would rather be.