Conditions at Lagoa de Albufeira in December
December: Peak Season Power and Offshore Windows
December is statistically one of the best months of the year at Lagoa de Albufeira, and it often produces the most photogenic winter sessions. The average swell height is 1.9m (6ft), the average period is a strong 12.6s, and the swell rose is packed with optimal directions: WNW 28.3%, NW 26.1%, W 10.8% and WSW 5.0%. Large percentages of the waves fall in the 1-2.5m (3-8ft) range, with a meaningful chunk of overhead-plus surf. The long period means those lines arrive with real force and hold their shape through the water.
What makes December special is the wind. Ideal offshore conditions are observed 31% of the time, tied with January for the annual high, and the ENE/E/ESE/SE quadrant is unusually well represented in the statistics. This combination - strong WNW-NW groundswell plus clean offshore flow - is exactly what you want from a west-facing beach. With average air temperatures of 13.8°C (min 5.3°C, max 19.1°C), precipitation at 2.67 mm/day and water temperatures of 15.5°C, it is winter surfing in Portugal at its finest. Be ready for cold mornings, big roping lines and some serious sessions.
Average Spot conditions at Lagoa de Albufeira in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Lagoa de Albufeira 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 Lagoa de Albufeira for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Lagoa de Albufeira 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 Lagoa de Albufeira.