Cannon Beach • Statistics for May

May: The Spring Lull Begins

Surf at Cannon Beach becomes noticeably smaller and more wind-sensitive in May. The average swell height falls to 5ft (1.5m) with a 10.6s period, and the swell direction is overwhelmingly west-northwest: W accounts for 39 percent of observations and WNW another 32 percent. This is still relatively long-period swell, but most of the energy sits in the 1-1.5m range, so expect fun, rippable waves rather than heavy winter bombs.

North winds now take control. NNW flow leads the wind rose with 25 percent of all observations, NW adds another 15 percent, and the combined offshore E/ENE/ESE/SE quadrant drops to less than 4 percent. The wind is ideal for surfing only 14 percent of the time. This is when the Pacific High begins to pump northwest winds along the Oregon coast, creating bumpy cross-onshore conditions for much of the day. Dawn patrol offers the best chance for clean, semi-glassy peaks before the northwesterly fills in. Air temps average 11.1°C, water temp is 12.3°C, and precipitation is much lower at 2.80 mm/day.