Manhattan Beach • Statistics for May

May: Summer Swell Begins, Wind Becomes the Rival

May marks the start of the low wind-quality season. Wave height still averages around 3ft (0.9m) with a 12.0-second period, and the flood of favorable SW/WSW energy continues: WSW 40 percent, SW 24 percent, W 29 percent, and SSW 6 percent. The problem is wind direction and timing. Ideal offshore wind falls to 31 percent, while onshore SW/WSW/W winds combine for nearly 44 percent, driven by a building thermal low pressure along the coast. This means the surf often gets blown out by midday. Air temperatures are pleasant at 17.4°C, rainfall is low at 0.30 mm/day, and the water is warming to 14.2°C. Surfing becomes a dawn-patrol affair - catch the early offshore flow and clean lines, then be ready for afternoon chop.