Conditions at Machico in February
February: Still Winter, Slightly More Windows
February repeats January's recipe with a little less juice. Average swell height remains 2.5m (8.2ft) and period 12.6s, with WNW (8.1%), NW (14.4%) and NNW (20.0%) again leading the wave rose. The true E/ESE/SE/SSE swell window accounts for only 0.5%, so surf quality will hinge on how much of that NW Atlantic swell refracts into the bay. The wind picture improves slightly: ideal conditions are observed 35% of the time, and the NNW offshore component increases to 14.5%. Still, NNE and NE winds combine for over 30%, producing lumpy cross-shore energy and occasional onshore pulses from the SE. Water temperature drops to 17.9°C, air averages 16.0°C, and precipitation rises to 1.46 mm/day. February is a month of building frustration if you only look at surf height; look for windows of offshore NNW flow.
Average Spot conditions at Machico in February
Swell history for February
Wind history for February
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Machico during February. 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 Machico for your next trip in February.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Machico for February. 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 Machico.