Friday and Saturday
Weather
A couple of cloudy and mostly (if not entirely dry days). There is only an outside chance that some spits and spots could fall out of the clouds from time to time. To be honest, there is a greater chance that a few holes will open up in the cloud to let an occasional ray of sunshine slip through. The best news is that the wind, although still coming from a NE’ly direction, will be a bit lighter than earlier this week... moderate force 4 decreasing light force 3 through Friday, then light force 3 decreasing light force 2 through Saturday. Daytime maxima around 7°C, overnight minima around 4°C.
Surf and the Water
Another long-period swell will build through Friday, then fade slightly through Saturday. So, much like the last swell, we can expect very long lulls between the sets, and then lots of power and surge when they break. Friday’s waves will start around 1-2 feet and finish around 4-5 feet, then Saturday’s waves will start around 4-5 feet and finish around 3-4 feet. All the while becoming increasingly clean, as the cross-shore wind becomes lighter. Tides will be low in the late mornings and high in the late afternoons (roughly 6.7m Friday and 7.3m Saturday).
Sunday and Monday
Weather
A couple more cloudy days, but this time with an increasing likelihood of showers, especially during the evening and overnight periods. Furthermore these showers will become quite heavy and most probably have some sleet and hail mixed in with them. The wind will be a very light NNW’ly on Sunday, then it will gradually pick up to a force 4 to 5 WNW’ly on Monday. These winds will bring cold air and as they strengthen it will feel even chillier. Daily maxima around 6°C, nightly minima around 3°C and 4°C.
Surf and the Water
Sunday’s surf should be 3-4 feet and clean, then Monday’s surf will shrink to 2 feet and become increasingly choppy. Tides will be low around midday and high around dawn and dusk (slightly under 8m on Sunday, slightly over 8m on Monday).
Tuesday and Wednesday
Weather
A cold but dry and probably sunny Tuesday, becoming cloudy overnight, before we head into a very interesting Wednesday. The light N’ly airflow is likely to veer E’ly or SE’ly, as a low pressure system slides across from the Atlantic into either Southern Britain, The Channel or Northern France. Heavy showers or longer spells of precipitation are expected, whatever track the low takes. What is uncertain however, is whether this precipitation will be rain, snow or a bit of both. Lots of elements have to come perfectly into line for us to get snow in the Channel Islands. That’s why we don’t get it very often. However, models are suggesting a possibility of it on Wednesday, so the best advice is keep a sharp eye on the forecast developments but don’t be too disappointed if we only end up with rain.
Surf and the Water
The west-coast surf will be big and choppy, mostly around 6 feet but possibly as big as 8-10 feet on Tuesday afternoon, so maybe at that time there could be some clean and rideable waves along the south coast. Tides will be high at breakfast time (roughly 8.9m on Tuesday, roughly 9.1m on Wednesday) and they will be low in the early afternoons.
The Rest of Next Week
Weather
Fresh SW’ly winds are likely on Thursday, followed by strong or very strong W’ly winds on Friday. This will bring mostly cloudy skies, with occasional heavy showers and probably a brief sunny interval every now and then. Temperatures will be on the rise, probably returning to double figures for the first time in a while, but certainly not feeling very pleasant in that winds.
Surf and the Water
The surf will most probably be about 4 feet and choppy, but the south coast should have some smooth water for our cold-water dippers. Tides will be around 9m high at breakfast time and they will be low in the mid-afternoons.
The next forecast update will be on Monday morning…
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