Refsnes - surf spot statistics

Refsnes, Norway, offers a mix of conditions throughout the year, with the best surf typically occurring during the winter months. The most consistent and powerful swells arrive between December and February, when ground swell makes up 25-29% of the swell mix, combining with a dominant wind swell (66-72%). Mean swell sizes peak around 2.0-2.2m during these months, providing solid waves for experienced surfers. However, wind conditions are generally unfavorable (85-87% bad wind days), meaning clean surf sessions are relatively rare. The transition months of September to November show improving ground swell presence (14-20%) and slightly better mean swell sizes (1.4-1.9m), but wind quality remains poor (87-88% bad winds). From April to August, conditions deteriorate significantly, with very low ground swell influence (4-22%) and small mean swell sizes (1.0-1.2m). Summer months (June-August) are particularly weak, with high wind swell dominance (75-79%) and increased no-swell days (15-20%). Wind conditions remain consistently poor year-round, rarely dropping below 83% bad wind days. For surfers willing to brave the cold, late autumn through early winter (November-February) offers the best chance for rideable waves, though finding clean conditions will require patience and good timing.

March at Refsnes offers variable but often surfable conditions, with an average swell height of 1.7m and a decent period of 8.9s. The most consistent swells arrive from the SW to WNW, with WSW, SW, and WNW directions providing the highest proportion of rideable waves in the 1-2.5m range. The best-quality swells tend to be from the SSW to WSW, where waves are cleaner and more organized. However, wind is a limiting factor, with only 15% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore conditions. The dominant winds are often from the SE to S, which can create onshore chop, especially at higher speeds (20-50kph). Stronger winds (over 30kph) are frequent from ESE to SSE, further reducing rideability. For surfers, the sweet spot is when WNW swells coincide with lighter NW or NNW winds, which happens occasionally but requires patience. Expect a mix of small, weak days and occasional solid, mid-sized sessions, with the best chances for clean waves early in the morning before winds pick up.