Surf Forecast for Populo
type: Dataset
description: 10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Populo, Sao Miguel, Portugal
about: Populo
  type: TouristAttraction
  geo: GeoCoordinates
    latitude: 37.7504
    longitude: -25.6183
  description: Praia do Populo is the Azores' most consistent surf spot—a beach break on volcanic black sand that sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, catching swells from virtually every direction. Located minutes from the capital Ponta Delgada on São Miguel island, this wave offers year-round potential in one of Europe's most underexplored surf regions. The dramatic volcanic landscape, thermal hot springs for recovery, and uncrowded lineups make the Azores a compelling alternative to Portugal's mainland coast. For surf explorers seeking genuine discovery, Populo is the portal to an Atlantic archipelago secret.
summary:
  best day:
    date: 2026-08-11
    score: 50
    category: Fair
    explanation: Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-11 with a score of 50/100 (Fair)
  firing days count: 0
  overall recommendation: Poor conditions overall: Average score 27/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-05
  day index: 0
  strike score:
    final score: 14
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 11
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 250° is 25° off optimal 225°, workable but not ideal.
      swell size:
        score: 10
        out of: 25
        explanation: Marginal size: 0.8m is 0.8m from ideal 1.6m.
      swell period:
        score: 6
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
      wind:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 225° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: -3
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (250°), size (0.8m), or wind (15 km/h from 225°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 0.8
      height ft: 2.6
      direction degrees: 250
      direction cardinal: WSW
      period s: 9
      explanation: 0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 250° (WSW) at 9s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 15
      speed mph: 9.3
      direction degrees: 225
      direction cardinal: SW
      explanation: 15 km/h (9 mph) from 225° (SW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.6
      direction degrees: 277
      direction cardinal: W
      period s: 7
    windswell:
      height m: 0.4
      period s: 3
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-06
  day index: 1
  strike score:
    final score: 14
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 9
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 256° is 31° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
      swell size:
        score: 14
        out of: 25
        explanation: Marginal size: 1.3m is 0.3m from ideal 1.6m.
      swell period:
        score: 4
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 9s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 222° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: -3
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (256°), size (1.3m), or wind (19 km/h from 222°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1.3
      height ft: 4.3
      direction degrees: 256
      direction cardinal: WSW
      period s: 8
      explanation: 1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 256° (WSW) at 8s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 19
      speed mph: 11.8
      direction degrees: 222
      direction cardinal: SW
      explanation: 19 km/h (12 mph) from 222° (SW)
    secondary swell:
      height m: 0.4
      direction degrees: 186
      direction cardinal: S
      period s: 7
    windswell:
      height m: 0.9
      period s: 4
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-07
  day index: 2
  strike score:
    final score: 21
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.95
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 7
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 263° is 38° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
      swell size:
        score: 13
        out of: 25
        explanation: Marginal size: 1.2m is 0.4m from ideal 1.6m.
      swell period:
        score: 8
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
      wind:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 299° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: 0
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: false
        explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: -3
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (263°), size (1.2m), or wind (15 km/h from 299°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1.2
      height ft: 3.9
      direction degrees: 263
      direction cardinal: W
      period s: 10
      explanation: 1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 263° (W) at 10s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 15
      speed mph: 9.3
      direction degrees: 299
      direction cardinal: WNW
      explanation: 15 km/h (9 mph) from 299° (WNW)
    windswell:
      height m: 0.5
      period s: 3
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
provider: Strike Mission
date published: 2026-08-05T00:29:54.120Z
temporal coverage: 2026-08-05/2026-08-14
data sources: Open-Meteo Marine API (swell/wave data)
data sources: Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)

date: 2026-08-08
day index: 3
strike score:
  final score: 25
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.92
  confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 311° is outside workable range 180°-250°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 0.6m is 1.0m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Light offshore: 7 km/h from 2° (N). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (311°), size (0.6m), or wind (7 km/h from 2°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.6
    height ft: 2.0
    direction degrees: 311
    direction cardinal: NW
    period s: 9
    explanation: 0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 311° (NW) at 9s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 7
    speed mph: 4.3
    direction degrees: 2
    direction cardinal: N
    explanation: 7 km/h (4 mph) from 2° (N)

date: 2026-08-09
day index: 4
strike score:
  final score: 27
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.89
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 13
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 206° is 19° off optimal 225°, workable but not ideal.
    swell size:
      score: 3
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 0.5m is below minimum 0.6m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 23
      out of: 25
      explanation: Good period: 12s is 92% of ideal 13s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 198° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (206°), size (0.5m), or wind (15 km/h from 198°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.5
    height ft: 1.6
    direction degrees: 206
    direction cardinal: SSW
    period s: 12
    explanation: 0.5m (1.6ft) swell from 206° (SSW) at 12s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 15
    speed mph: 9.3
    direction degrees: 198
    direction cardinal: SSW
    explanation: 15 km/h (9 mph) from 198° (SSW)

date: 2026-08-10
day index: 5
strike score:
  final score: 39
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.86
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 269° is 44° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
    swell size:
      score: 19
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.7m is 0.1m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 23
      out of: 25
      explanation: Good period: 12s is 92% of ideal 13s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
    wind:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 18 km/h from 236° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -3
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (269°), size (1.7m), or wind (18 km/h from 236°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.7
    height ft: 5.6
    direction degrees: 269
    direction cardinal: W
    period s: 12
    explanation: 1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 269° (W) at 12s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 18
    speed mph: 11.2
    direction degrees: 236
    direction cardinal: SW
    explanation: 18 km/h (11 mph) from 236° (SW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.5
    direction degrees: 192
    direction cardinal: SSW
    period s: 9
  windswell:
    height m: 0.7
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-11
day index: 6
strike score:
  final score: 50
  category: Fair
  category emoji: 😐
  confidence: 0.83
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 267° is 42° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
    swell size:
      score: 19
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.7m is 0.1m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 18
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 295° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Surfable but not special at Populo. The 1.7m swell from 267° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1.7
    height ft: 5.6
    direction degrees: 267
    direction cardinal: W
    period s: 9
    explanation: 1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 267° (W) at 9s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 8
    speed mph: 5.0
    direction degrees: 295
    direction cardinal: WNW
    explanation: 8 km/h (5 mph) from 295° (WNW)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.4
    direction degrees: 188
    direction cardinal: S
    period s: 10

date: 2026-08-12
day index: 7
strike score:
  final score: 36
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 5
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 272° is 47° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
    swell size:
      score: 11
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 1.0m is 0.6m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 4
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 9s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 15
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 172° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (272°), size (1.0m), or wind (7 km/h from 172°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1
    height ft: 3.3
    direction degrees: 272
    direction cardinal: W
    period s: 8
    explanation: 1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 272° (W) at 8s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 7
    speed mph: 4.3
    direction degrees: 172
    direction cardinal: S
    explanation: 7 km/h (4 mph) from 172° (S)
  secondary swell:
    height m: 0.5
    direction degrees: 328
    direction cardinal: NNW
    period s: 8

date: 2026-08-13
day index: 8
strike score:
  final score: 34
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 7
      out of: 25
      explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 262° is 37° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
    swell size:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 0.6m is 1.0m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 16
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 162° (SSE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (262°), size (0.6m), or wind (6 km/h from 162°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.6
    height ft: 2.0
    direction degrees: 262
    direction cardinal: W
    period s: 10
    explanation: 0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 262° (W) at 10s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 6
    speed mph: 3.7
    direction degrees: 162
    direction cardinal: SSE
    explanation: 6 km/h (4 mph) from 162° (SSE)

date: 2026-08-14
day index: 9
strike score:
  final score: 13
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 308° is outside workable range 180°-250°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 8
      out of: 25
      explanation: Marginal size: 0.6m is 1.0m from ideal 1.6m.
    swell period:
      score: 6
      out of: 25
      explanation: Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
    wind:
      score: 16
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 145° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: 0
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: false
      explanation: No significant wind history adjustment.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (308°), size (0.6m), or wind (6 km/h from 145°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.6
    height ft: 2.0
    direction degrees: 308
    direction cardinal: NW
    period s: 9
    explanation: 0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 308° (NW) at 9s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 6
    speed mph: 3.7
    direction degrees: 145
    direction cardinal: SE
    explanation: 6 km/h (4 mph) from 145° (SE)

Strike Mission
type: Organization