Conditions at Hanstholm in May
May: Small and Clean, If You're Lucky
May is the month where summer begins to settle in. Average swell height bottoms out at around 3-4ft (0.9-1.2m) at 1.0m, the period drops to 5.8s, and the surf is generally windswell rather than groundswell. The swell rose is dominated by WNW and W, while favorable N/NNE/NW/NNW swell directions total only about 12.4%. That is not a formula for consistent Hanstholm quality; without solid northwesterly energy, the beach lacks the open-fetch punch it gets in winter. Wind is another factor: W and WNW winds dominate, while the offshore S to SE window sits at only 9% ideal. Still, May offers the first real taste of spring warmth: water temperature 10.0°C, average air temperature 10.7°C, and moderate precipitation. Smaller southwest swells can wrap in when an afternoon sea breeze is light, especially under lingering high pressure. Bring the log or a groveler; the waves are user-friendly rather than memorable.
Average Spot conditions at Hanstholm in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Hanstholm 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 Hanstholm for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Hanstholm 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 Hanstholm.