Port Orford • Statistics for January

January: Maximum North Pacific Power

January is the heart of the winter season. Average swell height is a solid 9ft (2.8m) with a powerful 12.9s period, which puts this month in the 'powerful, long period' range. The wave rose shows W and WNW swell dominating at 16.7% and 16.2%, with NW another 5.0%; the WSW sector at 6.9% is the closest thing to the southern angles this spot needs. The surface, however, is often under the gun. Southerly wind is the lead player: S winds blow 24.6% of the time and SSE 10.3%, making for frequent onshore, choppy conditions. Ideal N/NW/NNW offshore wind is only present 28% of the time, so you have to play the frontal passages aggressively. When the wind does switch offshore, the long-period W/WNW swell wraps into the SSE-facing beach with serious power. Weather is true Oregon winter: average air temperature 7.6°C (min -3.5°C, max 18.6°C), heavy rain at 8.34mm/day, and a chilly water temperature of 10.4°C. Bring the biggest quiver and a lot of patience.