Conditions at Pico da Mota in September
September: Autumn's First Whispers of Long-Period Energy
September is the hinge between summer and winter. The average swell height climbs slightly to 5.6ft (1.7m) and the period improves to 10.5s, hinting at the return of more organized groundswell. The wave rose is still dominated by the NW quadrant - WNW 15.5%, NW 33.5% and NNW 33.1% - with the bulk in the 3-6ft (1-2m) range and a growing number of 6-8ft (1.8-2.5m) waves from the NW/NNW. Ideal wind days rise to 14%, but NNW (34.2%) and N (15.2%) winds still dominate. The surf quality at Pico da Mota in September is better than July and August, especially when the first substantial low pressure systems of autumn push out in the North Atlantic and send clean, mid-period WNW swells while a southwesterly wind blows offshore. Water temps are the warmest of the year at 18.7°C, air averages 19.3°C, and rain remains modest at 1.08 mm/day. It is the best month of the low season - a promise of things to come.
Average Spot conditions at Pico da Mota in September
Swell history for September
Wind history for September
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Pico da Mota 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 Pico da Mota for your next trip in September.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Pico da Mota 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 Pico da Mota.