Christmas Eve
Weather
A cloudy day on the whole, but with breaks gradually developing through the morning and then letting some slithers of sunshine penetrate all the way to the ground, during lunchtime and the afternoon. The wind will be strong force 6 and very dry. Put it like this... my thick winter wetsuit was crispy dry at dawn, after spending the night on the washing line, so If you do have some washing to do then I would encourage you to get it done in the morning and them put it on the line as quick as poss, so you’re all set for Christmas without that little chore done and dusted. The main effect of the wind for most people, however, will be its coldness rather than its dryness. Actual max temp 6-7°C but with a corresponding feels-like temp of roughly zero. Then an overnight min temp of 3°C with a corresponding feels-like temp of minus 3.
Surf and the Water
1-2 foot surf, regrettably spoiled by a strong force 6 cross-shore wind. Not a bad day for windsurfing and kitesurfing though, providing you have some very warm gear to wear. If you're a hardcore swimmer, then the northern corners of the west-coast beaches (Grande Rocque for example) will be the choicest locations around high tide, then the south-coast beaches will be the better choice on the lower tides. High water is about 8.3m at 8:50am. Low water is at 3:15pm.
Christmas Day
Weather
There’s a slim chance of seeing some snow flakes in the air around dawn. If this is the case then they are very unlikely to settle. And the greater likelihood is that the precipitation will only be sleet, or perhaps miss us altogether. Over in Jersey, the chance of the white stuff is marginally higher, but the amount will only be minimal if it happens at all. The real dump of snow is likely to be in Brittany, especially on the high-ground of the west, over towards Landivisiau and Brest. The main weather to speak of will be the extremely cold and rather strong E’ly wind, whistling under the silvery skies and making anyone who goes out for a traditional walk, cling tightly to their hoods and scarves (warmest gloves on hands of course). Actual temp hovering around 3-4°C, but the feels-like temp always about 6°C lower than that.
Surf and the Water
Clean 1 foot surf, again spoiled by the strength of the wind (even though it will be pretty much offshore in direction). Windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions will look good, but feel absolutely perishing. If you are a hardcore swimmer, then the northern corners of the west-coast beaches (again, Grande Rocque for example) will be the choicest locations around high tide, then the south-coast beaches will be the better choice on the lower tides. High water is about 8.1m at 9:30am. Low water is at 3:50pm.
Boxing Day
Weather
A slightly sunnier day than Christmas Day, with a little less wind (moderate force 4 ENE’ly), meaning that the temperature will climb to about 6°C for the max, and the feels-like temp should be about 2°C. Still absolutely frigid, but far more appropriate for long walks or even a run or a bike ride, not to mention a late-morning mass sprint into the blue water of Cobo. Overnight, the temperature will probably fall to a min of 3°C, with a ground frost in all parishes, which growers should be aware of.
Surf and the Water
Flat surf, but once again not a bad day for windsurfing and kitesurfing, providing you have some very warm gear to wear. As for the main event… the Cobo swim, the late morning will be an excellent time to find a modicum of shelter from the perishing offshore wind, due to the tide having only recently started to drop away from the wall. High water is about 7.9m at 10:10am. Low water is around 4:30pm.
The Weekend
Weather
A sunny Saturday followed by a cloudy Sunday. Winds will be fresh force 5 ENE’ly on Saturday, probably veering due E’ly on Sunday. Still feeling cold though, despite the expected influx of slightly milder air. 8-9°C for the max both days, 5-6°C for the min both nights (too windy for a ground-frost).
Surf and the Water
The surf will likely be flat on Saturday but maybe 1-2 feet and clean on Sunday (just maybe). Tides will be high around 11am on Saturday and midday on Sunday. Which will be perfect for a west-coast sea-swim if you missed the Boxing Day dip, or perhaps you did go then and you developed a taste for it.
The next forecast update will most likely be on the evening of Boxing Day…
Previous Weather Fox ForecastsTide Tables
Swim Conditions
Ormering
Lihou Causeway