Ditch Plains • Statistics for October

October: Autumn Storms and Warm Water Swell

October continues the fall quality window as the Atlantic begins to roar. The average swell height increases to 3.6ft (1.1m), though the average period drops back to 6.8s, so energy becomes more windswell-like than September. The direction mix is still good: SE (11.1%), ESE (11%), SSW (9.8%), S (9.4%) and SSE (9.3%) are the main players, with ENE (5.9%) and NE (3.3%) adding occasional east swell from early nor'easters. Winds are in transition: SW (9.9%), WSW (9.3%), NW (8.5%), NNW (8.9%) and WNW (8%) all share the stage. The ideal offshore share slips to 12%, meaning you have to pick your moments behind cold fronts. Water temperature is still pleasant at 16.2°C, air averages 14.7°C and precipitation averages 3.67mm/day. The combination of warm autumn water, direct S/SE swell and increasing storm frequency makes October a serious contender for the best month of the year, especially when the NAO sets up a trough over the western Atlantic.