Cannon Beach • Statistics for June

June: Small Waves, Strong Winds

June is a distinct low-surf month at Cannon Beach. The average swell height is 4-5ft (1.3m) with a period of 10.2s, and nearly 90 percent of the swell comes from the W and WNW directions. The bulk of the energy is in the chest-to-head-high range, with only a small percentage of 2m-plus sets. These waves can be fun and rippable, but they lack the size and punch of winter.

The wind pattern is the real problem. NNW winds account for 32 percent of all wind observations, and NW adds another 16 percent, meaning the dominant wind is onshore or cross-onshore for a west-facing beach. Ideal offshore flow from the east is nearly nonexistent at just 1.6 percent of the wind distribution, and the wind is ideal for surfing only 10 percent of the time. Expect bumpy, wind-driven surf most days, with the cleanest conditions reserved for early morning or the occasional weak thermal trough. Water temp is 13.6°C, air temps average 13.1°C, and this is the start of the driest stretch of the year with just 2.01 mm/day of rain.