Conditions at Pavoa de Varzim in September
September: The Atlantic Wakes Up Again
September is the turnaround month. Average swell height climbs back to 1.6m (5.2ft) and period increases to 10.4s, signaling the first real groundswell pulses of the autumn. The wave rose is still NW-heavy (NW 34.1%, WNW 22.8%, NNW 22.4%), but the key change is an increased W component (6.2%) and a slight bump in SSW/SW energy (1.7% combined). Early autumn lows begin to develop in the North Atlantic, and tropical remnants occasionally inject long-period W/SW swell into the Portuguese coast. Pavoa's orientation starts to come alive again as the swell angle becomes more westerly/southwesterly.
Wind quality improves markedly. Ideal offshore winds occur 46% of the time, as the continental high begins to rebuild and the summer thermal low weakens. NNW winds are still common at 27.3%, but there are more morning offshore windows and a higher chance of a clean, all-day session when an E/NE flow sets up. The water is warm from summer - water temperature sits at 16.7°C - while air temperatures average 19.2°C. Precipitation rises to 2.0 mm/day. September is a hidden gem for a surf trip: small but clean, with the promise of autumn right around the corner.
Average Spot conditions at Pavoa de Varzim in September
Swell history for September
Wind history for September
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Pavoa de Varzim 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 Pavoa de Varzim for your next trip in September.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Pavoa de Varzim 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 Pavoa de Varzim.