Conditions at Cap Sim in January
January: Deep-Winter Groundswell Machine
January is the peak of the winter season at Cap Sim. The average swell height sits at a solid 7.5ft (2.3m), with an average period of 13.2 seconds - true long-period, powerful groundswell. The North Atlantic low-pressure conveyor is fully active, and the wave rose is stuffed with energy from the NNW/NW quadrant, a combined 58 percent of all swell. The pure SSW/SW/WSW angles that are ideal for this west-southwest-facing beach are not the most frequent, but the WNW and W windows add valuable mixing, and the large northwesterly groundswell still delivers consistent waves as it bends and refracts into the coast. Winds are favorable for surfing 53 percent of the time, with NE, ENE and NNE offshore flows dominating. Watch out for the occasional SSW/SW frontal passage, which can briefly push onshore wind and bumpy conditions before clearing.
Air temperatures average a mild 15.8°C and water temperature sits at 16.9°C, so expect hood-and-boots winter surf gear. When the NAO slides strongly negative, the storm track shifts south toward Morocco and Cap Sim can see some of the biggest, most consistent W/SW swell of the year.
Average Spot conditions at Cap Sim in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cap Sim 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 Cap Sim for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cap Sim 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 Cap Sim.