Powerful North Atlantic Low to Send Long-Period Swell to Europe
A deepening low west of Ireland is set to fan clean groundswell across the Bay of Biscay this week, with the Basque Country and southwest France in the firing line.
A vigorous low pressure system is forecast to deepen in the central North Atlantic over the coming days, generating a fetch of strong westerly winds aimed squarely at western Europe.
The result should be a building NW groundswell reaching the Bay of Biscay mid-week, with periods stretching into the 14–16 second range — the kind of long-interval energy that wraps into the region's points and rivermouths.
The Basque Country and the Landes coast look best placed, with offshore conditions possible on the early-morning land breeze before the wind swings onshore in the afternoon. Expect a quick build and a faster drop-off, so timing the peak matters.
This is an advanced-level swell at the exposed beach breaks. Check the spot forecasts below for the detailed hour-by-hour outlook.