Conditions at Desert Point in January
January: Deep-Water Groundswell at Full Tilt
January is peak season at Desert Point. The average swell comes in at a solid 2.1m (around 7ft), with a long 13.2s period, and the North Atlantic storm machine is producing exactly the kind of W/NW/NNW groundswell this northwest-facing coast loves. Over 75 percent of the swell energy arrives from the WNW/NW/NNW window, with a large portion falling in the 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft) range - genuine firing Desert Point conditions. Periods above 13 seconds put this firmly in the powerful, very long-period category; when the water temp is 17.4°C and air temps sit near 16.6°C, you will want a good wetsuit but the payoff is the best wave quality of the year.
Wind is the other part of the story. Ideal conditions occur 52 percent of the time, driven by offshore flow that keeps the surf clean and lined up. The SE/SSE quadrant is the dominant wind source at just under 40 percent combined, and most of that blows in the 0-20kph range - perfect for grooming the takeoff zone. The dangerous W/WNW/NW/NNW sector still appears on nearly 40 percent of observations, so patience remains key, but January offers the highest chance of all-time conditions at Desert Point.
Average Spot conditions at Desert Point in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Desert Point 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 Desert Point for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Desert Point 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 Desert Point.