Thursday
Weather
There’s been a bit of a downgrade in the forecast for this day, but we can still enjoy a lovely gentle breeze, so much more comfortable than the howling winds of recent days. This breeze will be coming from a SW’ly direction though, bringing very moist and murky air to the islands. I’m not really expecting any rain, but the sunshine will be in short supply, because the morning mist and hill-fog will be very slow to clear. Then, through the afternoon, there will just be a little brightness as the cloud gradually thins and breaks. Max temps around 17°C in most areas and maybe 18°C in Town.
Surf and the Water
The first day of waves from (ex) Hurricane Sam… 3 feet in the morning, picking up to 5 or 6 feet in the evening; clean and powerful throughout. Big tides too, so you can expect some great splashes when those waves slam against the west-coast walls. Highs of about 9.6m at 8am and 9.9m at 8:10pm.
Friday
Weather
And finally that gentle breeze will change to an E’ly direction, bringing much drier air to the islands and therefore a much more generous supply of sunshine… temperatures probably peaking at 18°C in all parts of the island, and the west coast being a particularly perfect place to unwind at the end of the school/working week.
Surf and the Water
More super-clean and super-solid west-coast surf, ranging from 5-8 feet. There might even be some little waves on the north coast to satisfy the youngsters and the learners. As for the swimming and kayaking... All coasts will be good for that, but be careful because big tides mean big currents, especially in the areas that are exposed to the swell. High water will be about 9.7m at 8:30am and 9.9m at 8:50pm.
The Weekend
Weather
The high pressure system responsible for the recently improved weather, will drift off to Scandinavia and Russia, giving way to another high over Ireland and the nearby Atlantic. This will have the effect of changing the gentle E’ly breeze to an equally gentle NE’ly on Saturday and then a more perky N’ly on Sunday. Both days are likely to be dry and sunny, but the temperature will start to slip away again (max 17°C on Saturday then just 16°C on Sunday). To feel as toasty as poss on both days, simply head down to the south coast, especially during the early afternoon when the low spring tide will expose vast stretches of gorgeous golden sand.
Surf and the Water
More good surf, but much smaller than the previous two days, so much more accommodating to kids and learners… 3-4 feet and pretty clean on Saturday then 2-3 feet and a bit choppier on Sunday. The tidal movements will still be very large, but they will begin to gradually shrink, with highs of about 9.6m on Saturday to 9.2m by Sunday evening. Low tides in the mid-afternoons.
Next Week
Weather
The high-pressure system will drift slowly eastward, from Ireland on Monday and Tuesday, to central/eastern Britain for the rest of the week. This means we are in for dry and settled weather throughout; most of it sunny but possibly with the odd half day of cloudy skies now and then. The breeze will be a moderate NW’ly on Monday, gradually backing to a light N’ly through Tuesday and Wednesday and then to a moderate E’ly by Friday. This means, when the sky is clear, that we will see decent daytime temps (17-18°C maxima) and pretty low night-time temps (around 10°C or possibly single figures. However, during the cloudier periods the temperature variation will be much smaller.
Surf and the Water
The surf should be tiny and choppy on Monday and Tuesday, then increasingly clean through the rest of the week and probably around 1-3 feet, so not too bad for learners and longboarders. The swimming will probably be the activity with the most consistently good conditions though, firstly on the south coast Monday and Tuesday, then increasingly along the west coast as the week progresses. Medium-sized tides, with highs in the late mornings Monday and Tuesday. Much smaller tides through the rest of the week, with highs moving through lunchtime and into the mid-afternoon.
The next forecast update will be on Friday…
Previous Weather Fox ForecastsTide Tables
Swim Conditions
Ormering
Lihou Causeway