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Conditions at Oceanside Pier in May
May: Groundswell Holds, Onshore Wind Rules
May clings to a respectable average swell of 3-4ft (1.1m) and a 13.5s period, but wind quality collapses: ideal wind is only 7% of the time. The swell direction is still excellent, with WSW 40%, SW 30%, W 22%, and SSW 8%. Most energy is in the waist-to-shoulder-high range, and the long period means even the smaller waves have a sleek, groundswell texture rather than chop.
The problem is that the North Pacific high builds and the marine layer deepens. W and WSW wind combine for nearly 39% of May's observations, creating persistent onshore or cross-onshore surf for most of the day. Offshore flow is nearly absent. Mornings can still deliver crisp conditions, especially between fog banks, but by midday the wind is almost always up. Water temperature climbs to 15.4°C and air to 16.5°C, while rainfall drops to just 0.26mm/day. It's a transitional month - plenty of swell, not enough favorable wind.
Average Spot conditions at Oceanside Pier in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Oceanside Pier 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 Pier for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Oceanside Pier 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 Pier.