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Conditions at Thurso East in May
May: Long Days, Lighter Swells
May represents the tail end of the fair season and the start of a serious drop in average energy. Swell height averages 1.1m (3.5ft) with period falling to 9.1s, so instead of heavy winter groundswell you get smaller, punchier surf. The direction distribution is excellent for Thurso East - NNW 19.5%, WNW 18.3%, NW 11.3%, N 6.0%, NNE 6.8% - with most readings clustered in the 0.5-1m (2-3ft) and 1-1.5m (3-5ft) classes. The overall quality is better described as fun-sized and groveling; on the right day, a clean 3-4ft NNW swell with light winds will still make Thurso East look world-class.
Offshore winds occur about 31% of the time, and the wind rose shows a strong ESE/SE influence (9.9% and 12.3%) - good news for surface texture. Air temperature averages 8.9°C (48°F), water temp is 9.3°C (49°F), and precipitation is around 2.24 mm/day. In May, dawn-patrol sessions with a 5/4 hooded suit are the norm, but the lighter winds and smaller swell make it far more user-friendly than January.
Average Spot conditions at Thurso East in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Thurso East 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 Thurso East for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Thurso East 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 Thurso East.