Forecast: Massive Storm Delivers Blast of Surf for Europe
A powerful late-season winter storm recently flared up over the North Atlantic, slowly spinning toward Ireland and the U.K at the time of this post. This system is boasting satellite confirmed wind speeds up to 50-60+ knots aimed at Western Europe, and seas soon to exceed 40+ feet (if not already).
As a result, a significant swell is now underway, impacting all areas of the coast with decent exposure to the west and northwest. Ireland is already in the thick of it. Spiking fast behind is Wales and Southwest England over today (Saturday 11th). Then shortly after will be France, Spain, and Portugal later tonight and into Sunday the 12th.
Plenty of surf, but where will it be good?
To be honest, most areas will see crappy, blown-out conditions during this event. As the storm nears Ireland with it's counter-clockwise rotation, it will also deliver onshore wind for much of the coast of Western Europe -- strong/blustery for many, especially closer to the storm. Although, there will be select locations to see OK or even favorable winds.
Ireland and the U.K. -- stormy but with potential
As usual, Ireland and the U.K. are bearing the brunt of the storm, experiencing the strongest winds and most severe weather compared to regions farther south and east. With the bulk of the swell energy impacting these coastlines, conditions will be powerful but often unruly.
However, thanks to the complex coastlines—full of bends, points, and sheltered corners—there will be select spots that come to life. Scoring quality surf will require careful timing and positioning, as being in the right place at the right moment will be key.
Surfers may need to sacrifice some size in favor of cleaner conditions, but those who do are likely to be rewarded with more manageable and higher-quality waves.
A similar setup is expected along the north coast of France on the English Channel, where exposed areas will be stormy, but protected breaks could offer windows of opportunity.
France and Spain -- zones to shine
Further south, the prime zone for quality surf will be southwest France through the north coast of Spain. A solid NW swell will propagate through the Bay of Biscay, building rapidly overnight, peaking on Sunday, and then gradually easing through the first half of next week.
Wind conditions across this stretch are looking especially favorable, with generally light winds and periods of offshore flow—setting the stage for clean surf at the right spots.
That said, many exposed breaks are likely to be overwhelmed by size on Sunday. Surfers will need to target locations that can handle larger swell or seek out more sheltered spots with reduced energy. As the swell begins to ease over Monday, watch for more breaks come into play while winds remain manageable.
Curious about Portugal and Nazaré?
For Portugal, a strong NW to NNW swell will push steadily down the coast throughout this event, delivering plenty of size to exposed breaks. However, conditions will be far from perfect, as breezy side-onshore NW to NNW winds are expected to impact most regions.
As for Nazaré, this setup is less than ideal. The prevailing wind direction is unfavorable for this world-renowned big wave spot, and the swell angle also doesn’t align well with the canyon, limiting its full potential.
Be sure to stay tuned to Wavemaps for the latest swell and wind forecasts specific to your location as this event unfolds. Good luck chasing waves.