Conditions at Ericeira in December
December: Winter Solstice Swell
December delivers winter's full force. Average swell height reaches 2.5m (8.2ft) with periods around 12.7s, and the pattern is classic: NW and WNW swells dominate, while W and NNW keep the energy consistent. The wind also gets slightly better, with ideal offshore conditions from the NE through ESE occurring 25% of the time - the second-highest of the year. This is the month when a strong high-pressure system over central Europe and a deep low near Iceland can set up a conveyor belt of long-period NW swell across the entire Portuguese coast. Expect solid, grinding waves on the reefs, with the occasional XXL day. Air temperatures average 12.3°C, water drops to 14.9°C, and rain is frequent, so bring the thick rubber. December is peak season for serious surfers.
Average Spot conditions at Ericeira in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Ericeira 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 Ericeira for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Ericeira 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 Ericeira.