Conditions at Fence in January
January: Summer Heat, E/SE Onshores and Fun-Sized SSW Pulses
January at Fence is controlled by the South Atlantic high, which drives a strong easterly wind regime and keeps the surf at the smaller end of the calendar. Average swell is around 6ft (1.9m) with a period of 10.8s, putting it at the lower limit of the powerful long-period category. In the wave rose, SSW is the clear leader at 29.6%, with S at 16.9% and SW at 13.7%; most of the energy falls in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) range. The wind is the main issue: ENE and E combine for roughly 28% of observations, producing lumpy, onshore surf. When the wind swings into the SW/WSW/W quadrant, usually with a weak cold front, Fence cleans up quickly. Ideal surf wind occurs just 25% of the time, so dawn patrol and careful timing are essential. Water temp sits at 20.4°C, air averages 21.9°C, and rainfall is relatively low.
Average Spot conditions at Fence in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Fence during January. 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 Fence for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Fence for January. 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 Fence.