Conditions at Cabedelo do Douro in May
May: Small NW Windswell and the Arrival of Summer
By May, Cabedelo is firmly in the shoulder season. The average swell height falls to 3.6ft (1.1m) and the period shortens to 9.9s, a sign that long-period groundswell is becoming less frequent. Swell direction remains dominated by the northwest quadrant - WNW 38.5 percent, NW 34.8 percent and W 18.6 percent - but the wave-height story changes dramatically: most readings fall in the small 1.5-4.9ft (0.5-1.5m) range, with only rare pulses above 6.5ft (2m).
Wind reliability also fades as ideal conditions drop to 22 percent. The nortada is now the dominant feature, with NNW wind at 28.5 percent and NW at 11.8 percent, creating persistent sideshore/onshore chop during the afternoon. This is the month when the early-morning glass or a brief easterly wind event becomes the surfer's best friend. With air temps at 15.9°C and water at 15.7°C, a spring wetsuit is still needed, but at least the sun is starting to show.
Average Spot conditions at Cabedelo do Douro in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cabedelo do Douro 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 Cabedelo do Douro for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cabedelo do Douro 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 Cabedelo do Douro.