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Conditions at Little Wanganui in September
September: Spring Swells, Wind Roulette
September brings the largest average swell of the year at 7-8ft (2.1-2.4m) with a 12.5s period, so the ocean is definitely not short of power. The swell direction becomes even more westerly, with WSW at 35.1%, W at 21.1%, and WNW at 8.4%. These strong, long-period swells arrive straight from the Tasman and Southern Ocean, and when conditions line up, Little Wanganui can look world-class.
The issue is wind. Ideal offshore flow drops to 35 percent, and the onshore sector - especially W (10.3%) and NNW (10.5%) - is just as common as the offshore ESE (10.8%). This makes September a game of forecasting patience: powerful, pumping surf is there, but it often comes with a messy, bumpy onshore component. Average air temperature starts to rise to 10.0°C and water sits at 12.5°C. Pick the lows that track far enough south, with a high-pressure ridge to the east, and you will find some of the gnarliest waves of the season.
Average Spot conditions at Little Wanganui in September
Swell history for September
Wind history for September
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Little Wanganui during September. 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 Little Wanganui for your next trip in September.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Little Wanganui for September. 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 Little Wanganui.