Tuncurry Breakwall • Statistics for May

May: High-Pressure Glory and Clean Autumn Walls

May is a standout month. The percentage of ideal wind rockets to 48 percent, and for the first time the offshore quadrant takes control: SW, WSW and W alone total 34.9 percent of all wind observations, with SSW adding another 9.3 percent. As a result, the breakwall sees many days of rippable, glassy conditions. Swell quality follows-the average height is 5.9ft (1.8m) with a strong core in the 3-6ft (1-1.8m) band and the average period hits 9.8s, the highest of the year, giving the waves real push. Direction-wise, southern energy dominates: SSE (20.9), S (16.3), SE (14.0) and ESE (10.7), while the NNE-NE-ENE-E optimal window shrinks to 18.1 percent. You may have to be selective-look for the E/SE swell components to wrap into the rocks-but when those long lines roll in under a westerly, it's as good as it gets this month. Air temps cool to 16.9°C, water drops to 21.6°C, and rain is moderate at 3.09 mm/day.