Time News
Cold conditions sweep across UK
There will be widespread overnight frosts for much of the UK in the coming days and a risk of snow for some regions.
Read moreBirsay 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: 5 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Light showers changing to cloudy by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 5 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Light showers changing to cloudy by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Thursday 30 November. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 1 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to light showers by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.Thursday 30 November. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 1 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to light showers by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Friday 1 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 1 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.Friday 1 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 1 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Saturday 2 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.Saturday 2 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Sunday 3 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.Sunday 3 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Monday 4 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low;Monday 4 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low;
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Tuesday 5 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 4 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low;Tuesday 5 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 4 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low;
Seven day forecast for Birsay Bay
| Time | 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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10% | 10% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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4°
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3°
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4°
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5°
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0° | 0° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -2° | -1° | 0° |
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NE
9
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NE
9
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NNE
13
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NE
13
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ENE
13
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NE
19
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ENE
16
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NE
16
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NE
22
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14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 27 |
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1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 2.0 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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E | E | VG | VG | VP | VG | E | VG | E |
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Humidity
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81% | 76% | 89% | 94% | 98% | 84% | 91% | 85% | 75% |
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UV
|
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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20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 40% | 10% | <5% | 20% | 20% | 50% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 20% | 20% | 40% | 10% | 40% | 40% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% |
|
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5°
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5°
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5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
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4°
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4°
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4°
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4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
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4°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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2°
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0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 1° | 1° | 0° | 0° | 0° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -2° |
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NE
21
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NE
20
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NE
22
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NNE
21
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NE
21
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NE
21
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NE
22
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NE
19
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NE
14
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NE
14
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NNE
14
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NNE
11
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NE
10
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NE
13
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NNE
10
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NE
13
|
ENE
10
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NE
11
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ENE
10
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NE
11
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NNE
10
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NNE
12
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ENE
13
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ENE
11
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27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
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2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
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8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | VG | E | E | G | VG | E | G | VG | VG | M | M | M | M | M |
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Humidity
|
71% | 76% | 72% | 81% | 78% | 76% | 70% | 74% | 85% | 80% | 82% | 84% | 86% | 86% | 84% | 82% | 86% | 84% | 86% | 87% | 84% | 87% | 86% | 88% |
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UV
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- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 10% | <5% | <5% |
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2°
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3°
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2°
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2°
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3°
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3°
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2°
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2°
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-1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | 2° | 0° | 0° | -1° |
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NE
7
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NE
10
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ENE
9
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ENE
8
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E
4
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ESE
7
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SE
5
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SSW
6
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12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
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1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
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8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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M | VG | M | G | E | VG | VG | M |
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Humidity
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87% | 79% | 87% | 86% | 77% | 81% | 81% | 82% |
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UV
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- | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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<5% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% |
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2°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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4°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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-1° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 1° | 1° | 0° | 0° |
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WSW
7
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WNW
7
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NW
8
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NNW
8
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WSW
6
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NE
7
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NE
8
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S
8
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11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
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1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
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8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | VG | G | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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83% | 82% | 81% | 82% | 81% | 83% | 85% | 84% |
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UV
|
- | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 10% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | 10% |
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3°
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2°
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2°
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3°
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4°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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0° | 0° | -1° | 0° | 1° | 0° | 0° | 0° |
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N
7
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NNE
7
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N
8
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NNW
8
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NW
8
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NNW
8
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N
8
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NNW
9
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11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
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1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
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8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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82% | 84% | 82% | 80% | 77% | 77% | 79% | 78% |
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UV
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- | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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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3°
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3°
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3°
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3°
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4°
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4°
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4°
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4°
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0° | -1° | 0° | 0° | 1° | 0° | 0° | 0° |
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NNW
10
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NNW
10
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NNW
11
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NNW
11
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SSW
12
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ENE
12
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NE
12
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NE
12
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14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
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1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
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11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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80% | 82% | 79% | 78% | 75% | 75% | 76% | 76% |
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UV
|
- | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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4°
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4°
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4°
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4°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 1° | 1° | 0° | 0° |
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SE
12
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NE
13
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N
14
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WNW
14
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NW
14
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NW
15
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NW
15
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NW
16
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17 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
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1.1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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Direction of waves offshore
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– | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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77% | 79% | 81% | 81% | 80% | 81% | 81% | 81% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - |
Our weather symbols tell you the weather conditions for any given hour in the day or night. This means that the symbol for 09:00 shows you what you will see from 09:00 to 10:00.
Chance of precipitation represents how likely it is that rain (or other types of precipitation, such as sleet, snow, hail and 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.
Tide times
Tide times
for Wed 29 Nov
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
for Thu 30 Nov
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
for Fri 1 Dec
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
for Sat 2 Dec
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
for Sun 3 Dec
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
for Mon 4 Dec
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
for Tue 5 Dec
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
for Wed 6 Dec
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
for Thu 7 Dec
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
for Fri 8 Dec
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
for Sat 9 Dec
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.
Birsay Bay weather map
View the weather with our interactive map
Loading map…
Orkney & Shetland weather forecast
Headline:
Cold with a few wintry showers today.
Today:
A rather cold and often cloudy day. A few wintry showers will be pass by at times, but some spells of drier weather expected too. Brisk northeasterly winds. Maximum temperature 5 °C.
Tonight:
Staying rather cloudy through the evening and night with a few passing showers, these occasionally wintry. Brisk northeasterly winds easing a little later in the night. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
Thursday:
Some bright or sunny periods and a few passing showers, wintry at times. Cold. Frost and ice developing overnight. Maximum temperature 5 °C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Sunny intervals and a few showers on Friday and over the weekend. Light winds. Overnight frost and icy patches.
Updated:
UK long range weather forecast
A fair amount of uncertainty at the start of this period as milder and more generally unsettled conditions towards the south and west try and extend further north and east. It is likely that northern and perhaps some eastern areas will start off cold with further overnight frosts and wintry showers in places. Indeed, northern Scotland may remain on the cold side, at least for the first few days of this period. Elsewhere, milder, or at least less cold weather than the preceding days, with areas of rain and stronger winds, this erratically spreading further north and east with time. Moving towards mid December and more generally unsettled and milder conditions look most probable with any colder interludes likely to be short-lived.
Updated:
Conditions are most likely to be changeable through this period. Wetter and windier than average conditions are slightly more likely than normal, especially in the west and northwest. Temperatures are most likely to be near or above average overall, although this doesn't rule out some spells of cold weather and associated wintry hazards.
Updated:
