Pools seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic roars to life during these six months, and Pools' NNW-facing coastline feels it. Low-pressure systems and cold fronts racing eastward across the Atlantic, riding the energy of a shifting NAO, send long-period groundswell from the N, NNE and NW quadrants. Average heights run 4-6ft (1.2-1.8m) with periods in the powerful 10-second zone. The trade winds still blow hard out of the ENE/E, but when the wind slips around to the SE, SSE and S behind a front, the break turns clean and heavy. This is prime time at Pools.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
These are shoulder months in the Pools calendar. The winter storm track is fading in April and still waking up in September, leaving average swell heights around 3-4ft (0.9-1.2m) and periods creeping back into the 9-10-second range. Ideal offshore wind percentages are higher than midwinter, so even if the size is down, the surface is often cleaner. A late-season nor'easter or early autumn cold front can easily produce a surprise day that rivals the winter peak.
Low Surf Season (May - August)
Summer settles in from May through August, and Pools drops into its low season. The swell source shifts to short-period ENE/E trade wind windswell, with heights hovering around 3ft (1.0m) and periods of 7 seconds or less. This is micro-to-fun-sized territory for the NNW-facing spot - okay on a longboard, but rarely showing its true potential. The silver lining is that ideal wind days are frequent, so the surface is often glassy and inviting even as the ocean goes small.