Conditions at Sao Torpes in May
May: Dawn-Patrol Windows in a Northwesterly Wind
May continues the late-spring trend. The average swell settles at 1.5m (around 4-5ft) with an average period of 10.0s, which pushes it into the smaller, windswell-influenced range. NW is the undisputed king of the wave rose at 45.1%, with WNW at 23.2% and NNW at 12.3%; W adds just 9.9%. Most waves sit between 1-2m, so the surf is fun-sized and rippable rather than dangerous.
Wind becomes the main limiting factor. Ideal wind drops to 22%, and NNW winds account for 26.2% of the time, with NW another 18.8%. These are onshore and cross-shore directions for a WSW-facing beach and quickly chop the surface by midday. Water temperature climbs to 16.3°C, air to 18.0°C, and precipitation drops to 1.22mm/day. The play is simple: save spring energy for early-morning sessions before the north wind builds.
Average Spot conditions at Sao Torpes in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Sao Torpes 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 Sao Torpes for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Sao Torpes 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 Sao Torpes.