Conditions at Praia Grande in May
May: The Wind Turns North
May marks the beginning of the summer wind regime. Average wave height drops to 5.5ft (1.7m) and average period falls to 9.9 seconds, so the surf becomes less powerful and more dependent on local windswell. The swell direction is still dominated by the northern half of the compass, with NNW 31.5 percent, NW 30.5 percent, WNW 17.4 percent, and W 8.8 percent; this means the wave window remains open, but the size is smaller. The wind picture is the main limiting factor. NNW wind roars in at 40.5 percent, N at 9.2 percent, and NW at 10.7 percent, leaving only 9 percent ideal offshore flow. This north-northwesterly flow is often cross-shore at Praia Grande, creating lumpy, bumpy conditions once the sun heats the land. Still, early morning E/SE offshore cleanups can put the beach in the fun-sized, rippable category. Air temperatures average 16.7°C (min 8.4°C, max 29.9°C), precipitation is 1.48 mm/day, and water temperature reaches 16.4°C. Surfable, but you have to work for it.
Average Spot conditions at Praia Grande in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Praia Grande 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 Praia Grande for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Praia Grande 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 Praia Grande.