Monday
Weather
Much like Sunday, we are looking at a day of lengthy sunny periods and just a few brief showers (don’t forget to look out for rainbows). The wind will be a little bit lighter (force 4-5 SW’ly) so most places will feel a little bit milder and more comfortable (17°C the most likely max). Going into the evening, the risk of a shower will have reduced to near zero, but I’m afraid it’s only the calm before another storm. Yes indeed, overnight, the wind will pick up to a near-gale-force S’ly (much like on Saturday), with a few hours of heavy rain.
Surf and the Water
Reasonably clean 4-5 foot surf on the west coast, along with windsurfing conditions that will be a bit slower than Sunday but still very good. Swimmers should find some sheltered nooks along the west and north coasts at dawn, but the east coast will generally offer the smoothest water at all times of day. Low water will be around midday and high water will be just before dawn and dusk (8.1m and 8.6m respectively).
Tuesday
Weather
By Tuesday morning the rain will have cleared to isolated heavy showers and the wind will have veered to a slightly gentler W’ly. However, it won’t be long before that wind strengthens to force 7 again and begins to veer NW’ly. This means that the poor trees will have been hammered from roughly two thirds of the available compass directions, so it’s highly likely that we will see similar damage to that of Saturday (just gone). Furthermore, it’s going to be a pretty cold day, with a max of only 15°C and significant chill factor coming from the wind.
Surf and the Water
Extremely wild and choppy on the north and west coasts. Fermain is pretty much the only spot that will be sufficiently sheltered for swimming. As for surfing, maybe some shore-break fun will be found at Petit Bot, but nothing of any great quality. Low water will be around 1pm and high water will be around dawn and dusk (8.8m and 9.2m respectively).
Wednesday to Friday
Weather
Do you think we are about ready for some calm, settled, sunny and (maybe even warm!) weather? I’m pretty sure I just heard a resounding ‘yes!’ Well, Wednesday is the change day with another blowy morning of shower-dodging, but this time it will be followed by an afternoon of ever-decreasing wind and ever-increasing sunshine. The islands will be sitting in a cold airmass though, so the temperature probably won’t climb any higher than 15°C, and then it might well drop into single figures during the night time. By Thursday morning, a high pressure system will have spread over the islands from France and then we are in for two full days of sunshine and gentle S’ly or SE’ly breezes. Thursday’s max temp will be 17-18°C, then Friday’s should be 18-19°C.
Surf and the Water
Wednesday’s surf will be increasingly clean, as the onshore wind gradually decreases in strength. There could actually be some really fun lumps rolling in to the west coast spots after school and work. Then Thursday and Friday are the days that are potentially epic, with gentle offshore breezes and an absolute thumper of a 6 foot hurricane swell. Thursday will have the longest interval between set waves, meaning that these will be the most powerful waves, best suited to expert surfers at expert-only locations. Friday will be just as big but probably more accommodating to intermediates, as the beach breaks won’t be quite so spoilt by close-outs. Big tides with highs steadily picking up from 9.2m on Wednesday morning to 9.9m by Thursday evening. Low tides always in the early afternoons (a great time for north and west coast swimmers who don’t want too much wave action).
The Weekend
Weather
As the high pressure system becomes centred over northwest Britain, we will continue to enjoy dry weather. However, the gentle breeze will come from a NE’ly direction, so there’s likely to be a bit more cloud development, as we import air off the Channel rather than off the continent. As a result, the temperature will probably take a gentle downturn, with a max of 17-18°C on Saturday followed by just 16-17°C on Sunday. That said, after such a prolonged wet and windy period (ever since the Autumnal Equinox about a fortnight ago), I think we shall all be over the moon to be blessed with four straight days of peace and quiet.
Surf and the Water
More great surf, but much smaller than the previous two days, so much more accommodating to kids and learners… 3-4 feet on Saturday then 2-3 feet on Sunday. The tidal movements will still be very large, but they will steadily drop off from highs of about 9.6m on Saturday to 9.2m by Sunday evening. Low tides in the mid-afternoons.
The next forecast update will be on Tuesday or Wednesday…
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