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Conditions at Oceanside in May
May: The Shoulder Crumbles Into Summer
May is a transition month, and the swell actually remains respectable. The average height is 1.1m (3.5ft), with WSW at 39.5%, SW at 30.3%, W at 22.1%, and SSW at 7.8%. At 13.5s, the period is long enough to make even modest swells feel clean and powerful when the wind cooperates. However, the height distribution is shifting downward: 0.5-1m (2-3ft) and 1-1.5m (3-5ft) dominate, with only small pockets of larger W swell.
The biggest obstacle is wind. Ideal offshore wind plummets to just 7% of the time, while WSW, W, SW, and SSW winds combine for a relentless onshore regime. Expect morning calm periods followed by bumpy afternoon sea breeze. Water temp warms to 15.4°C (59.7°F), air temps reach 16.5°C (61.7°F), and rainfall is nearly absent. For the dedicated dawn patrol surfer, May can still offer fun, rippable long-period waves before the ocean turns to chop.
Average Spot conditions at Oceanside in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Oceanside 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 Oceanside for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Oceanside 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 Oceanside.