Casino Pier • Statistics for February

February: Cold Water, Deepening Storms

February behaves like a colder, slightly more easterly version of January. Average swell height remains at 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m) while average wave period creeps up to 7.2s. The strongest swell signals shift a touch toward E, ESE and SE, with the whole E/SE window accounting for roughly 30% of observations. S and SSE swells are still common as low pressure systems track offshore and wrap southwesterly fetch into the coast.

Offshore winds remain reliable from the W, WNW and NW, which is why the pier sees roughly 31% ideal surf conditions despite the brutal cold. Water temperature hits the yearly minimum at 4.3°C and air temperatures average 0.9°C, so thick rubber is mandatory. The average 6-9s period means most surf is punchy rather than long-period, but the strongest Nor'easters can easily push shorter-period E swell into the 10s. February is winter at its rawest and most dependable.