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Monte Clerigo - surf spot statistics
Monte Clerigo seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic winter engine fires on all cylinders from October through March, delivering consistent, powerful swell to Monte Clerigo. Average wave heights hover between 1.9m and 2.5m, with long-period (12-13s) groundswells from the W, WNW, and NW dominating the spectrum. Ideal offshore winds from the W/SW quadrant blow clean 25-33% of the time, often associated with post-frontal high pressure that sets up glassy mornings. This is prime time for Monte Clerigo to live up to its reputation as a powerful beach break.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
April and September serve as transitional months where the surf is still rideable but less consistent. Swell heights average 1.5-1.9m with periods dropping to 10-11s. While the W/NW swell window remains active, the frequency of strong storms decreases. Ideal wind percentages drop to 18-19%, but occasional easterly wind events can still produce clean conditions. The main challenge is the increasing northerly wind component, which tends to add cross/onshore chop.
Low Surf Season (May - August)
Summer brings a dramatic lull in surf energy. Average heights drop to 1.4-1.6m with short-period (8-10s) NW windswell dominating. The infamous Portuguese nortada (north wind) becomes the dominant pattern, with NNW-N winds blowing 40-60% of the time, putting the spot onshore and choppy. Ideal offshore wind opportunities plummet to just 7-16%. Only the occasional southwesterly wind or distant Southern Hemisphere swell can salvage a session, but overall it's a time to explore other spots or travel.
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Conditions at Monte Clerigo in October
October: The Magic Returns
October marks the true start of the best season. Average swell height jumps to 1.9m with an 11.5s period, and the consistency improves dramatically. NW swell (40.3%) and WNW (20.3) dominate, with a healthy portion in the 2-2.5m and 1.5-2m ranges. Ideal wind percentage rises to 28%, the highest since March. The offshore wind quadrant (WSW, SW, SSW) accounts for about 14% of observations, providing frequent clean windows. Northerly winds are still present but less dominant. The North Atlantic roars to life during October; extratropical storms develop rapidly, and the NAO often shifts negative, enhancing westerly swell. Expect a mix of powerful groundswells and occasional strong fronts that bring short-lived onshore conditions but reset the swell. Monte Clerigo comes alive with hollow, powerful waves.
Average Spot conditions at Monte Clerigo in October
Swell history for October
Wind history for October
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Monte Clerigo during October. 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 Monte Clerigo for your next trip in October.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Monte Clerigo for October. 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 Monte Clerigo.