Gold Beach • Statistics for March

March: Late-Winter Power with a Hint of Spring

March is the beginning of the seasonal transition, but it still delivers serious winter surf. The average swell height remains solid at 8ft (2.4m) with an average period of 12.4s, so the Pacific is still fully charged. WNW and W swells dominate the wave rose, combining for over 40 percent of the directional observations, with additional NW and WSW energy. Periods are still in the long-period range, producing powerful, organised groundswell at this WSW-facing spot. The biggest change is in the wind: NNW winds become more frequent and onshore S/SSW winds remain common, keeping the ideal wind percentage at 20 percent. That means a lower strike rate for perfect conditions, but the late-winter swells are often larger and more consistent than what follows in spring. Air temperatures begin to nudge upward to 8.0°C, rainfall is still high at 6.62mm/day, and the water remains cold at 10.7°C. Patience, a good 5/4 hooded suit and a keen eye on the pressure charts are essential in March.