Manasquan Inlet • Statistics for November

November: Cold Fronts, Offshore Flow and Consistent Winter Waves

November brings the most consistent offshore wind pattern of the year. Average surf holds at 4ft (1.3m) with a period of 7.2s, but the quality is often better than the raw numbers because the wind rose is full of WNW, NW, W and NNW flow. Those directions, combined with the east, east-southeast and southeast swell in the water, give Manasquan frequent groomed conditions. The ideal wind percentage sits at 32 percent, and every passing cold front resets the ocean with a fresh west/northwest breeze and usually a new swell from the east or northeast. The sun angle fades and water temperatures drop to 13.3°C, while air temperatures average 10.3°C. A strong nor'easter in November can produce heavy, firing surf in the 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) range, especially if the swell period stretches beyond 12 seconds. The crowds have thinned, the water is still workable in a good 4/3, and the inlet starts delivering the best trade-off of the year.