Conditions at Almagreira in May
May: Dominant NW Swell vs the Summer Wind Machine
May is a beautiful month on land but a frustrating one in the water. Swell size drops to around 6ft (1.8m) and the average period falls to 9.9s, heading into average, punchy territory. The swell direction is remarkably concentrated in the optimal quadrant - NNW at 29.9%, NW at 28.4% and WNW at 17.4% - meaning the beach is almost never completely flat. Most waves fall in the 3-6ft (1-2m) range, with an occasional 6.5-8ft (2-2.5m) set.
The problem is wind: NNW winds dominate a whopping 35.1% of the time, and the ideal offshore flow from S through WSW is only around 13%. As a result, Almagreira often sees its NNW-facing structure full but bumpy, with clean days becoming precious jewels. Air and water temps both reach 16.3°C, while precipitation drops to 1.65 mm/day, signaling the dry season is approaching.
Average Spot conditions at Almagreira in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Almagreira during May. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Almagreira for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Almagreira for May. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Almagreira.