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Conditions at Black Rock in May
May: Longest Periods Arrive, but Westerlies Wreck the Surface
May delivers the longest average wave period of the year at 9.5s, a clear signal that the Southern Ocean is waking up. Average swell height sits around 5-6ft (1.7m), and the SSW-W swell quadrant now accounts for roughly 9.4 percent of all incoming energy - the best of the transitional period. The downside is written clearly in the wind data: SSW winds total 13.4 percent, W 11.1 percent, WNW 10.6 percent and WSW 5.1 percent, pushing the ideal-wind score down to just 23 percent. These onshore and cross-shore winds are the classic winter curse at Black Rock. When a high-pressure system slips in behind a strong cold front and the wind swings northeast, the combination of long-period W/SW groundswell and offshore flow can produce exceptional, lined-up surf. Otherwise, expect bumpy, raw and powerful conditions.
Average Spot conditions at Black Rock in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Black Rock 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 Black Rock for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Black Rock 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 Black Rock.