Conditions at Altura in May
May: First Signs of the Summer Groveler
May signals the start of the low season at Altura. The average swell drops to about 2ft (0.6m) and the period falls to 5.4s, making most waves short-period and soft. SE swell remains the best bet for the beach, contributing 13.6 percent of total energy, including a solid 8.2 percent in the 2-3ft (0.5-1m) range and 2.8 percent at 3-5ft (1-1.5m). The rest of the rose is dominated by WSW and W windswell that is less useful for this southern exposure. NNW continues to blow hard at 24.5 percent, with NW at 11.9 percent, but ideal surfing wind drops to 27 percent as SW and SSW flow increases. Water temperature climbs to 18.3C, air averages 18.6C and rain drops to 1.17 mm/day. Early mornings can still produce fun, rippable waves before the sea breeze takes over.
Average Spot conditions at Altura in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Altura 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 Altura for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Altura 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 Altura.