Conditions at Cables in January
January: Mid-Summer Groundswell and Fickle Windows
The new year opens with an average swell of 1.9m (6ft) and a solid 11.6s period, so there is still genuine long-period power in the water. The swell rose is overwhelmingly south/southwest in character - SSW contributes 33.7% and SW 47.5% of the distribution - but pure WSW/W/WNW swell remains a small piece of the pie. That means the best wave quality at this west-facing reef usually comes when a southwest groundswell has enough west in its direction to wrap properly onto the bank. The 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft) range accounts for the majority of the surf, with most readings clustered between 1.5m and 2.5m.
Wind is the limiting factor. Ideal offshore flow is present only 26% of the time, while SSW (24.9%) and S (14.5%) winds dominate the wind rose. Those directions are cross-shore at Cables, so surfaces can quickly become lumpy. With air temperatures around 22.9°C, water at 22.0°C and just 0.52mm/day of rain, January is classic warm-water surfing. Pick the early mornings and the windows when high pressure south of Australia holds the easterly flow.
Average Spot conditions at Cables in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cables during January. 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 Cables for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cables for January. 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 Cables.