Saturday
Weather
The band of rain that was originally expected to arrive late Friday, slowed down on its approach, meaning that it is now more of a Saturday morning affair. However, whilst it was so slow to approach, it tended to break up into a scattering of showers, leaving plenty of gaps and a slight possibility of missing the islands altogether. It’s very much going to be a case of ‘watch the horizon’ and ‘watch the RADAR’. Crack on and enjoy your outdoor activities if it’s nice and dry, but probably best to keep a raincoat or an umbrella at the ready. Aside from this tricky rain question, we are simply looking at long cloudy spells and brief sunny intervals, with a light force 2 S’ly breeze and a comfortable max temp of 19-20°C.
Surf and the Water
The swimming conditions should be great all around the islands. Whilst the west-coast surf will be 2 feet and clean, steadily picking up to a fairly solid 4 feet by evening. Tides getting bigger with low water at midday and a high of 8.4m at 5:50pm.
Sunday
Weather
The situation will be very similar in terms of scattered showers that may or may not hit the islands. If anything, it looks as though the sky will be more cloudy and the showers slightly more widespread, so the odds of getting wet are higher. This coupled with a moderate force 4 WNW’ly wind means that most parts of the island will feel less pleasant than on Saturday (max temp 17-18°C), except for Town which should be sheltered enough to make it to 19°C again. This should all be good news for the GraniteMan comp, that was rescheduled due to the fog on the original date. Visibility is looking much better this time. Conditions should be very comfortable for the athletes, but the spectators will probably want to keep a raincoat at the ready.
Surf and the Water
Once again, the swimming conditions will be good in most areas but the east coast will be noticeably better, especially around Bordeaux in the evening. Over on the west-coast, the surf should be 4 feet in the morning, gradually dropping off to 3 feet by evening. Bigger tides again, with low water at 12:40pm and a high of 8.9m at 6:40pm.
Monday to Wednesday
Weather
Moderate N’ly breezes on Monday, becoming light and variable on Tuesday, then moderate SW’ly though Wednesday. Probably bringing dry weather through all three days (only the smallest chance of an isolated light shower). The skies partly cloudy/partly sunny, lifting temps to an average daily maxima of 18-19°C. Don’t forget to take full advantage of anything that feels summer-like. Such moments are dwindling fast, when you consider that the Equinox is on Wednesday and the Equilux will follow along on Saturday (that’s when the days will actually become shorter the nights!).
Surf and the Water
Early indications suggest choppy 2-4 feet waves on Monday, becoming cleaner through Tuesday and Wednesday. Lovely swimming conditions on the south coast Monday and Tuesday, then on the other coasts through Wednesday. Spring tides, with highs around dawn and dusk, and lows in the early afternoons.
Thursday and Friday
Weather
Looking very unsettled and more classically Autumnal, fresh to strong WSW’ly winds bringing some sunshine but also occasional heavy rain or showers as well as some very rough and splashy seas. Temperatures likely staying around average on Thursday then taking a bit of a dive on Friday.
Surf and the Water
Definitely best to head east for any smooth swimming conditions. Meanwhile some very splashy spring tides along the usual stretches of west-coast road (highs toward the end of, and just after, morning rush-hour). Some great windsurfing conditions out west, along with some rather choppy 4-6 foot surf.
The next forecast update will be on Sunday evening…
Previous Weather Fox ForecastsTide Tables
Swim Conditions
Ormering
Lihou Causeway