Conditions at Sines in May
May: The In-Between Month
May is the bridge between spring and summer. Average swell height falls to 4.9ft (1.5m) and average period drops to 10.0 seconds, so the surf becomes shorter-period and more windswell-driven. The ocean is dominated by NW swell at 45.1 percent, with WNW at 23.2 percent and NNW at 12.3 percent. On a south-facing spot like Sines, this frequent NW angle does not translate perfectly, so many days will be small and drifty. Still, 52 percent ideal wind keeps the cleaner days surfable, especially on a higher tide push or when an early S/SW swell sneaks in.
Air temperatures climb to 18.0°C, rainfall drops to 1.22 mm per day, and water temperatures warm to 16.3°C. It is time to shed the hood and enjoy longer sessions.
Average Spot conditions at Sines in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Sines 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 Sines for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Sines 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 Sines.