Levanto

```json { "spot_name": "Levanto", "seasonal_overview": "

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The winter half-year delivers the most consistent and powerful surf to Levanto's southwest-facing beach. As the North Atlantic storm track intensifies, long-period groundswells from the SW quadrant become frequent, often pushing into the 1-1.5m range with occasional larger pulses. The average wave period climbs above 5.5s, providing punchy, rideable waves. Crucially, the region sees a high frequency of offshore winds from the NNE and NE – these quadrants dominate the wind rose, cleaning up the faces and offering morning glass. This combination makes for peak season conditions, especially when high pressure over the Alps directs cool, stable air down the coast.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Shoulder months offer a mixed bag. April still sees decent swell heights around 0.7m and a period of 5.6s, but the consistency drops off. The dominant SW swell remains, but wind patterns become more variable – ideal offshore percentages hover around 23% – so you'll need to pick your windows. September marks the slow ramp-up: average swell height is lower (0.5m) and periods are shorter (4.8s), but the occasional early autumn low can deliver a fun, clean swell. Both months can serve up good sessions when a solid SW groundswell meets light offshore breezes.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer brings the smallest surf of the year to Levanto. The average swell height drops to 0.4-0.5m and periods shorten to 4.6-5.2s, often producing weak, choppy, and messy conditions. The predominant SW swell becomes more windswell-driven, lacking power. Additionally, the frequency of ideal offshore wind plummets to 12-19%, with lighter variable winds or even onshore sea breezes from the SW becoming common. While the occasional small ripple might tempt a longboarder, this is generally a flat spell. If you're dedicated, early mornings with a local sea breeze can offer short, grovelly waves, but expectations should be low.

", "monthly_stats": { "january": "

January: Northeast Winds Clean Up the Winter Swell

January is prime time for Levanto. The average swell height sits at 0.8m with a period of 5.9s, meaning you'll find plenty of rideable, punchy waves. Swell from the SW dominates at 30.9% of all observations, with a significant chunk in the 0.5-1m and 1-1.5m ranges, and even some 1.5-2.5m pulses – that's 'fun to pumping' territory. The wind patterns are your best friend: NNE and NE winds combine for over 34% of the time, often blowing at 10-20kph, providing clean offshore conditions that groom the SW swell into lined-up waves. With an ideal wind frequency of 26%, January consistently delivers quality sessions, especially when a low-pressure system in the Gulf of Genoa pumps in fresh NW energy that refracts into the bay.

", "february": "

February: Consistent Groundswell with Offshore Grooming

February remains solid, averaging 0.8m swell and 5.7s period. The SW swell retains its dominance at 31.3%, with a good distribution of 0.5-1.5m waves and occasional 2-2.5m sets. Wind conditions are similar to January: NNE and NE winds account for nearly 33% of the observations, blowing predominantly 10-20kph and keeping the waves clean and hollow. The ideal wind percentage ticks up slightly to 27%. This month often sees a slight uptick in longer-period swell (above 6s), adding more punch and making even the 1m waves feel substantial. Overall, February offers some of the most reliable surf of the season.

", "march": "

March: Late Winter Swell Holds Strong

As winter fades, March still holds its own with an average 0.7m swell and 5.7s period. The SW swell remains the primary source at 32.7%, with solid contributions from the WSW (11.8%) and SSW (8.0%). Wave heights in the 1-1.5m range are common, offering good surfing conditions. Offshore winds from NNE and NE are still strong, combining for 29.1% of the time, though lighter winds from E and ESE start to become more frequent. The 25% ideal wind frequency means many clean days, but the weather becomes more transitional – spring lows can bring short-lived onshore wind events. Still, the window for quality waves is wide open, especially early in the month.

", "april": "

April: Transitional Swell with Mixed Winds

April marks a noticeable shift: average swell height drops to 0.7m and period edges down to 5.6s. The SW direction still leads at 35.0%, but the wave height distribution skews smaller, with 0-0.5m and 0.5-1m occupying over 24% combined. The good news is that offshore winds from NNE and NE still represent 22.8% of the time, though at lighter average speeds (10-20kph). The ideal wind percentage sits at 23%, a slight drop from winter. This month requires more patience – the best windows occur when a late-season low in the Atlantic sends SW swell that aligns with a north-easterly wind. The waves will be a bit softer, but still fun on a longboard or fish.

", "may": "

May: Swell Drops, Summer Pattern Begins

May sees the surf take a real hit: average swell height plummets to 0.5m and period to 5.2s. The SW swell still dominates at 37.2%, but most of it is in the 0-0.5m range (17.5%) and 0.5-1m (11.5%). The 1-1.5m range only accounts for 5.1%, and bigger waves are rare. Wind patterns become less favorable for clean conditions: offshore winds from NNE and NE drop to 19.9% combined, and lighter winds from the SE and SSE increase. The ideal wind percentage falls to 19%. The predominant SW swell often comes with onshore SW wind (6.2%), further reducing quality. Expect small, wind-affected waves – best suited for a longboard in the early morning when the sea breeze hasn't kicked in.

", "june": "

June: Early Summer Flatness

June is typically one of the smallest months of the year at Levanto. Average swell height is just 0.5m with a period of 4.9s, signaling weak windswell rather than powerful groundswell. The SW swell accounts for 42.5%, but overwhelmingly in the 0-0.5m (22.7%) and 0.5-1m (12.7%) categories. Periods under 5s mean chop and lack of power. Offshore wind opportunities shrink: NNE and NE are only 15.1% combined, and ideal wind frequency drops to 16%. Meanwhile, winds from the SSE and S (onshore or cross-onshore) increase. The surf is marginal at best; small grovelly waves might appear after a strong thunderstorm or local wind event, but June is primarily a month for other activities.

", "july": "

July: Peak Summer Doldrums

July bottoms out with the smallest average swell (0.4m) and shortest period (4.8s) of the year. The SW swell is still the most common (39.1%), but nearly 24% of it is under 0.5m. The 0.5-1m range is only 9.2%, and waves over 1m are scarce. The wind patterns are the worst for surf: offshore NNE and NE winds drop to just 16.3% combined, and the ideal wind percentage hits a low of 12%. Light variable winds and onshore SW breezes (7.0%) dominate. The Mediterranean summer high-pressure system locks in stable, small conditions. Any rideable waves will be rare, short-period, and heavily dependent on local sea breezes. This is the month to travel elsewhere for swell.

", "august": "

August: Summer Flat Continues

August mirrors July with an average swell height of 0.4m and period of 4.6s – the lowest period of any month. SW swell contributes 35.6%, but the bulk is in the 0-0.5m range (21.1%). The 1-1.5m category is a mere 4.0%. Offshore wind frequency from NNE and NE is slightly higher than July at 19.9% combined, but still low overall. The ideal wind percentage remains at 12%. The dominant wind directions are from the E and SE, which blow cross-shore or slightly onshore. Surf prospects are bleak: small, weak, and often choppy. A rare tropical disturbance or distant thunderstorm might kick up a small pulse, but don't plan a surf trip around August.

", "september": "

September: Signs of Life – Fall Transition Begins

September is the turning point. Average swell height climbs to 0.5m and period to 4.8s. While still small, the SW swell (29.7%) shows more energy in the 0.5-1m (7.8%) and 1-1.5m (4.8%) categories. The ideal wind percentage improves to 17%, with offshore NNE and NE winds accounting for 25.5% of the time – a significant jump from summer. Early autumn lows in the Atlantic start to send longer-period swell into the Mediterranean, and with proper wind alignment (NE or E), Levanto can produce clean, rippable waves in the 1m range. Consistency is still low, but the quality is rising. If you catch a solid NW swell with offshore winds, it can be surprisingly good.

", "october": "

October: Autumn Energy Arrives

October sees a marked increase: average swell height reaches 0.7m and period 5.2s. The SW swell leads at 24.7%, but there's a healthy spread of SSE and SE swell too (22.7% combined), which can wrap into the bay. Wave heights in the 1-1.5m range become more common (4.5% from SW alone). Ideal offshore winds from NNE and NE hit 30.1% combined, with the ideal wind percentage jumping to 22%. The North Atlantic storm track is rapidly intensifying, and the Gulf of Genoa becomes a hot spot for cyclogenesis. These lows generate powerful SW swell, often accompanied by fresh NE winds – the classic recipe for excellent surf. October is the start of the prime season.

", "november": "

November: Winter Swell Fires Up

November is solidly in the best season. Average swell height is 0.8m with a period of 5.8s – punchy and consistent. SW swell dominates at 26.0%, with significant contributions from S and SSE (14.6% combined). The wave height distribution shows a strong 0.5-1m and 1-1.5m base, plus a notable 1.5-2.5m band (5% total from SW). Wind conditions are near perfect: NNE and NE winds combine for 33.7%, and the ideal wind percentage is 27%. The weather is active, with strong low-pressure systems tracking across Europe. Levanto acts as a sponge for any W to SW swell, and the frequent offshore winds from the north keep the waves glassy and lined up. This is a month to watch the charts and be ready to go.

", "december": "

December: Peak Winter – Power and Consistency

December brings the highest average swell height of the year at 0.9m and a period of 5.9s, indicating powerful, rideable waves. SW swell accounts for 27.3%, but significant swell also comes from WSW (12.3%) and W (3.0%) – all optimal for Levanto. The wave height distribution reveals a healthy slice of 1-1.5m (5.5% from SW alone) and 1.5-2.5m (5.2% from SW+WSW). The wind regime is excellent: NNE and NE winds total 35.1%, and the ideal wind percentage sits at 27%. The Mediterranean winter is in full swing, with strong low-pressure systems and the occasional "Medicane" spinning up intense swell. Offshore winds are frequent, especially after cold fronts pass. December offers the most reliable and sizeable surf of the year – the go-to month for Levanto.

" } } ```