Conditions at Ribeira das Janelas in May
May: Stretching Swell Windows and Long Evenings
May sees the surf settle into a summer regime, but there is still life in the water. Average swell heights are around 5-6ft (1.6-1.8m) and periods have dropped to 10.0s. This keeps the waves rideable and punchy, especially when the swell angle comes from the N and NNE, which together make up a much larger share of the total than in winter. The downside is that most of that energy is windswell generated by the same northerly winds that blow onshore at the beach. NNE wind alone accounts for 27.6% of the wind, and ideal offshore wind remains stuck at 16%. Look for early mornings and any low pressure system that rotates the wind into the south quadrant. Water temperature is warming nicely at 19.1°C, air temps average 18.2°C, and rain is minimal at 0.56 mm/day.
Average Spot conditions at Ribeira das Janelas in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Ribeira das Janelas 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 Ribeira das Janelas for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Ribeira das Janelas 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 Ribeira das Janelas.