Conditions at Orio in December
December: Big Winter Swells and the Best Wind Score
December is arguably the most reliable month of the year at Orio. Average swell height is 6-7ft (2.0m), the period is a punchy 12.4s, and ideal wind conditions lead the calendar at 44 percent. The swell distribution is broad and powerful: NW 28 percent, WNW 24 percent, NNW 9 percent, and W 4 percent, plus a meaningful contribution from SSW and SW - all signs of a mature North Atlantic winter regime. The wind is overwhelmingly favorable for Orio, with S winds at 21 percent, SSW at 13 percent, and SSE at 8 percent, giving the beach long stretches of clean offshore mornings. These conditions push the swell into the north-northwest-facing beach efficiently, creating steep, fast peaks, especially on mid tide. Air temperature stays cool around 9.9°C and water drops to 14.2°C, with precipitation around 3.7 mm/day. December is a gift for surfers who can handle the cold.
Average Spot conditions at Orio in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Orio 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 Orio for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Orio 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 Orio.