Conditions at Portsalon in December
December: Winter Solstice Swell
December is another barrel of raw winter energy. The average swell height is 3.0m (9.8ft), period 12.0s, and W/NW swells dominate the open Atlantic, with W producing 4.4% in the 2-2.5m band and 1.4% over 2.5m. The favored NNE-E quadrant remains a smaller but meaningful part of the mix, offering the potential for thick, long-period waves when low pressures align to the northwest and steer E-NE swell down the Irish coast. Ideal winds are 27% of the time, and the short days, cold air (5.3°C), water at 9.6°C and high precipitation (4.1mm/day) keep the beach uncrowded. If you find a window with offshore W/SW wind and a fresh NE-E pulse, December can deliver some of the heaviest waves of the year at Portsalon.
Average Spot conditions at Portsalon in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Portsalon 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 Portsalon for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Portsalon 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 Portsalon.