Birsay Bay (Orkney Islands) weather
Find a forecast
Here are our top tips to keep you, your friends and family safe at the beach with links to Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Met Office advice.
- Head to a lifeguarded beach; check the RNLI lifeguarded beach tool
- Follow RNLI Float to Live advice if you find yourself struggling in the water
- Know what to do if you get caught in a rip current (RNLI)
- Check the tide times to avoid getting cut off by the tide coming in
- Call 999 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency
- Learn more about staying safe at the beach
Forecast days
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Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 5 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 5 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Monday 29 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain changing to sunny by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.Monday 29 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain changing to sunny by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.
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Tuesday 30 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.Tuesday 30 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.
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Wednesday 1 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.Wednesday 1 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.
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Thursday 2 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Thursday 2 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Friday 3 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Friday 3 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
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Saturday 4 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Saturday 4 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
Seven day forecast for Birsay Bay
| Time | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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≥95% | 30% | 90% | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% |
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7°
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7°
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6°
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5°
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5°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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1° | 2° | 0° | -1° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° |
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ENE
25
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E
18
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ENE
26
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NE
25
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NNE
27
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NNE
28
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NNE
27
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N
27
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31 | 25 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 |
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1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | VG | G | M | M | M | M | M |
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Humidity
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82% | 80% | 87% | 90% | 92% | 92% | 90% | 93% |
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UV
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 01:00 | 02:00 | 03:00 | 04:00 | 05:00 | 06:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 | 09:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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90% | 90% | 90% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 80% | 40% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 40% | 50% | 40% |
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6°
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7°
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7°
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7°
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7°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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7°
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7°
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7°
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8°
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8°
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9°
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9°
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9°
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10°
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10°
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9°
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9°
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9°
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9°
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9°
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9°
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1° | 2° | 2° | 2° | 1° | 1° | 1° | 1° | 1° | 2° | 2° | 3° | 3° | 4° | 6° | 7° | 8° | 8° | 7° | 7° | 6° | 6° | 6° | 6° |
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N
25
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NNW
22
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NW
21
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WNW
23
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W
26
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W
28
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WSW
28
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WSW
30
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WSW
30
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WSW
29
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WSW
29
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SW
28
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SW
27
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SW
23
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SW
17
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SW
12
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SW
7
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SSW
10
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SSW
11
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SE
11
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SE
13
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SE
13
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SE
14
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SSE
14
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31 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 32 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 29 | 22 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 |
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1.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
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7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | G | G | VG | E | E | VG | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | VG | VG | VG | VG | G | G | VG |
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Humidity
|
96% | 95% | 95% | 96% | 95% | 93% | 92% | 88% | 87% | 84% | 81% | 79% | 76% | 73% | 71% | 70% | 67% | 72% | 77% | 83% | 85% | 89% | 91% | 92% |
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UV
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
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9°
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9°
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8°
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9°
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11°
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13°
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13°
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11°
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9°
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6° | 5° | 5° | 5° | 8° | 10° | 9° | 7° | 5° |
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SSE
13
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S
14
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S
14
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S
15
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S
11
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SE
13
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SE
19
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SE
21
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SE
19
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20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 27 | 29 | 26 |
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1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 |
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8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | VG | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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91% | 91% | 92% | 86% | 79% | 69% | 75% | 77% | 86% |
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UV
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- | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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<5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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8°
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8°
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9°
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10°
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12°
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12°
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11°
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9°
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5° | 5° | 6° | 7° | 9° | 9° | 8° | 7° |
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SE
16
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ESE
15
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ESE
14
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ESE
14
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ESE
14
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ESE
13
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ESE
13
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ESE
12
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22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
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0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
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10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | M | G | G | G | G | G | G |
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Humidity
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92% | 96% | 94% | 91% | 85% | 85% | 88% | 92% |
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UV
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- | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
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9°
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9°
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10°
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11°
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12°
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12°
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11°
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10°
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7° | 7° | 7° | 9° | 10° | 10° | 8° | 7° |
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ESE
11
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E
11
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E
11
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E
14
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E
15
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E
15
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E
14
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E
12
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15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 |
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0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
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7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | G |
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Humidity
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92% | 92% | 90% | 84% | 81% | 80% | 84% | 90% |
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UV
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- | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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<5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
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9°
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9°
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10°
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11°
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13°
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13°
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11°
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9°
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7° | 6° | 7° | 9° | 10° | 10° | 9° | 7° |
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E
11
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ENE
11
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ENE
12
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ENE
12
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ENE
12
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NE
12
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ENE
12
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ENE
11
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14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
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0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
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8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | G |
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Humidity
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91% | 92% | 90% | 83% | 79% | 79% | 83% | 90% |
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UV
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- | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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<5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% |
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9°
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9°
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9°
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11°
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13°
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12°
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12°
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10°
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6° | 7° | 7° | 9° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 8° |
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S
11
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ESE
10
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SSE
10
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SE
10
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SSW
10
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WSW
10
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N
10
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W
10
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14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
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0.7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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Direction of waves offshore
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– | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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G | G | G | G | G | M | M | M |
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Humidity
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91% | 90% | 88% | 82% | 77% | 78% | 80% | 85% |
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UV
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- | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - |
Our weather symbols tell you the weather conditions for any given hour in the day or night. This means that the symbol for 9am shows you what you will see from 9am to 10am.
Chance of precipitation represents how likely it is that rain (or other types of precipitation, such as sleet, snow, hail or drizzle) will fall from the sky at a certain time.
This number shows the air temperature for the time period. You can see the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit by using the dropdown menu.
Feels like temperature considers other factors, such as wind speed and humidity. This gives you a better idea of how the temperature will actually feel at the time.
Wind gust shows the highest wind speed that you should encounter at that time, as winds peak and lull.
Strong winds are shown in bold for speeds of 29 mph or more.
The arrow shows the direction the wind is blowing. The letters show the direction the wind is blowing from (on a standard 16-point compass).
The number represents the average wind speed expected at that time.
The arrow shows the direction of the wind (up is north). If the arrow points from land to sea, the wind will be blowing out to sea (‘offshore’). The number is the average wind speed.
Beware of offshore winds if you are using inflatables, paddle boards or kayaks. These winds can blow you out to sea. Read more about how wind will affect you at the beach.
Visibility measures the distance at which an object can be clearly seen.
| VP (Very Poor) | Less than 1 km |
| P (Poor) | 1.1 km to 4 km |
| M (Moderate) | 4.1 km to 10 km |
| G (Good) | 10.1 km to 20 km |
| VG (Very Good) | 20.1 km to 40 km |
| E (Excellent) | Greater than 40 km |
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. If there is a lot of water vapour, the humidity will be high. The higher the percentage of humidity, the wetter it will feel outside.
UV exposure index and the protection required to help keep you safe:
No risk of UV - It’s safe to stay outside. Low - You can safely stay outside. Consider sunscreen in direct sunlight. Moderate - Take care during midday hours and do not spend too much time in the sun unprotected. Sunscreen advised. High - Seek shade during midday hours, cover up and wear sunscreen. Very high - Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Shirt, sunscreen and hat are essential. Extreme - Avoid being outside during midday hours. Shirt, sunscreen and hat essential.
This is the average height of the waves, 1-2 miles out to sea. The height of the waves can vary. The individual waves out to sea or at the beach can be higher than this number. If you are close to the water, keep an eye on the waves to stop you or your belongings being swept away.
Read more about calculating the expected height of the waves at the beach.
This is the average number of seconds between one wave and the next, 1-2 miles out to sea. A long wave period (more than 10 seconds) means the waves at the beach may be more powerful. Lifeguards can give you advice on waves if you’re planning to go into the water.
Read more about the period of waves.
The arrow shows the average direction of the waves 1-2 miles out to sea. It indicates how sheltered the beach will be from these waves. If the arrow points towards land, most of the waves’ power will reach the beach. If the arrow is parallel to or pointing away from land, the wave height is likely to be lower on the beach than it is offshore.
Lifeguards can give you advice on waves if you’re planning to go into the water.
Forecast row information
Tide times
Time Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
UK video forecast
Orkney & Shetland weather forecast
Headline:
Mainly dry on Sunday, rain spreading northwards later.
Today:
Dry in the morning with some early brightness. Clouding over through the afternoon with rain reaching Orkney late afternoon and Shetland in the evening. Freshening northeasterly winds. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Tonight:
Cloud and rain continue to spread north through the evening and overnight with heavy outbreaks at times. Fresh winds with coastal gales possible. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Monday:
Rain and strong winds clearing Orkney on Monday morning, but lingering across Shetland until late afternoon. Clear, bright spells for a time before further showers spread north later. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Dry and bright for much of Tuesday, but occasional rain and haar arrive later, continuing through Wednesday. Drier and brighter again on Thursday.
Updated:
UK long range weather forecast
During the first weekend, northern parts of the UK are likely to be predominantly dry, while areas of rain or showers, perhaps heavy and thundery, clear erratically from the south to usher in a spell of drier weather here too. There is likely to be a fair amount of low cloud in the east at times, with spells of coastal fog, but also temperatures generally above average for the time of year. Through the following week, all areas are likely to see a mixture of periods of rain and drier interludes. Overall, northern, especially northwestern, parts of the UK will probably be driest and sunniest, while the more changeable conditions remain more likely in the south. Temperatures should remain close to or a little above normal for early May.
Updated:
In this period, the chances of unsettled weather are slightly less than usual in the north and about the same as usual further south. Therefore, some spells of wet weather are likely for all, but perhaps especially across southern areas while the driest conditions relative to normal are probably further north. The chance of below or above average temperatures is fairly balanced overall, but it is worth noting that average temperatures themselves rise by around 1C per week at this time of year.
Updated:
