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Conditions at Rockaway-Manzanita in December
December: Peak Winter - Big Swells and Clean Windows
December is the crown jewel of the surf season at Rockaway-Manzanita. Average swell is the largest of the year at around 10ft (3.0m) and periods are a solid 12.4s. W and WNW swells account for 28% combined, with WSW and NW adding more. The most common wave heights sit in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) band, but there is always a meaningful share of overhead-plus, heavy waves.
Remarkably, December also scores the highest ideal wind percentage of the year at 36%. When cold continental high pressure sets up, E, ESE and SE offshore winds groom these winter waves into clean, powerful peaks. Southerly winds still blow during the stormy phases, bringing rain - 9.47mm/day is the wettest monthly average. Air temps are at their coldest, 5.0°C, and water temperature has dropped to 9.9°C. A thick wetsuit is essential, but the waves are worth it.
Average Spot conditions at Rockaway-Manzanita in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Rockaway-Manzanita during December. 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 Rockaway-Manzanita for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Rockaway-Manzanita for December. 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 Rockaway-Manzanita.