Conditions at Lacanau in December
December: Winter Solstice Power
December closes the year with winter at full throttle. Average swell height sits at 7-8ft (2.1-2.4m) with a long-period average of 11.8 seconds, and the North Atlantic is pumping out consistent groundswell. The dominant swell directions are WNW at 28 percent, W at 14 percent, and NW at 9 percent, with a healthy amount of waves exceeding 8ft (2.4m) when strong lows track into the Bay of Biscay. Ideal wind reaches 43 percent, the second-highest of the year, making December a surprisingly reliable month for quality winter surf when the synoptic setup allows. Air temperatures average 9.5°C, water drops to 12.6°C, and precipitation is high at 3.21 mm/day. Expect cold dawn sessions, short winter days, and a whole lot of Northwest power.
Average Spot conditions at Lacanau in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Lacanau 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 Lacanau for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Lacanau 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 Lacanau.