Thurso East • Statistics for November

November: Consistent Winter Power Returns

By November the North Atlantic is in full winter mode. Average swell height sits at 1.8m (6ft), average period at 11.0s, and the frequency of solid groundswell is rising quickly. Swell directions are nicely spread from the west through north: WNW 15.8%, NNW 15.6%, W 13.6%, NW 8.6%, with a strong core of N and NNE energy (5.8% combined). The optimal northern window accounts for 30% of all readings, and the over 1.5m categories become substantial across the board.

November is one of the more reliable months for surf - but also one of the windiest. SSW, S, SSE and WSW are all double-digit wind sectors, and while ideal offshore flow comes in at 29%, many frontal systems bring periods of SW and W gales before shifting NW. Water temperature drops to 11.0°C (52°F), air to 6.8°C (44°F), and rainfall is high (3.47 mm/day). It's a full-on cold-water expedition, but the reward is some of the most consistently powerful, long-period surf of the year.