Conditions at Cap Gris-Nez in May
May: Maximum Direction, Minimum Power
The swell direction window is as good as it gets in May: combined N/NNE/NE/NW/NNW reaches 49%, with NE 22.5% and NNE 19.2%. Unfortunately, the average height falls to 2ft (0.6m) and the period to 5.1s, and nearly all of that north sector is below 3ft (1m). The wind rose is a tug-of-war between WSW (15.1%) and SW (12.2%), with NE (13.5%) and NNE (13.2%) adding bad onshore texture. The true offshore share from S/SSW/SW is only 21.5%, and ideal surf sits at 5%. Air temps become pleasant at 12.1°C, water reaches 12.3°C, and rain stays light at 1.68mm/day. May is the classic 'check the cams daily' month: the right NW/NNE pulse with a clean SSW wind can produce waist-high, rippable peaks, but the default is small and lumpy.
Average Spot conditions at Cap Gris-Nez in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cap Gris-Nez 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 Cap Gris-Nez for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cap Gris-Nez 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 Cap Gris-Nez.