Conditions at Baltrum in December
December: The Winter Grind - Heavy Swells, Icy Offshore Gems
The year closes with the North Sea at its most energetic and least forgiving. The average swell height reaches 1.7m (5.6ft) - tied with January for the annual max - and the period holds at 6.8s. The ocean smells of low-pressure and salt, with swell coming from every angle. The dominant sectors are WSW (9.6%), W (10.2%), NW (10.5%), and NNW (10.0%), meaning a huge portion of the wave energy is pushing directly into Baltrum's sandbanks. The wind stats are wintry: the SW winds are strong (gale force on occasion), and the 'ideal' offshore wind is only present 13% of the time. Yet, December often delivers some of the world's most pristine, glassy mid-winter surf when the winds go calm between Atlantic lows. When an easterly fetch sets up over the colder continent, it can blow offshore and clean up the storm surf into crisp, winter barrels. However, with air temperatures hovering at 3.5°C, water at 7.2°C and frequent gale warnings, this is hardcore surf. The waves are heavy, the air is freezing, and the daylight is scarce. Only the die-hards get the payoff, and the payoff is often epic.
Average Spot conditions at Baltrum in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Baltrum 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 Baltrum for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Baltrum 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 Baltrum.