Woolacombe • Statistics for September

September: The Autumnal Switch Flicks On

September is when Woolacombe starts to wake up. The average swell rises to 4.3ft (1.3m) and period edges back to 8.8s, still not winter, but the storm tracks are lengthening. W and WSW swells combine for 57.1 percent of the rose, with a nice boost in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) ranges. There are also increasing amounts of WNW and NW energy totalling 14.2 percent, adding more variety and power. Wind remains mixed, but the offshore ENE, E, ESE and SE share improves to 20.8 percent, and ideal wind sits at 12 percent. This is a month when tropical remnants and early autumn depressions can produce surprise groundswell, and the still-warm water at 16.6C makes the first cross-offshore days genuinely pleasant. If an early season storm spins up off the US East Coast and sends W or NW swell across the Atlantic, Woolacombe can see clean, long-period lines with autumn sunshine. Rain is moderate and air temperatures average 14.7C. The sandbars have been building all summer, so it is time to start watching the charts closely.