Time News
High pressure building for the weekend
After what feels like weeks and indeed months of wind and rain, there is some good news on the horizon.
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: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Sunday 19 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Sunday 19 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Monday 20 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Sunny intervals. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Monday 20 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Sunny intervals. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Tuesday 21 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 15 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 11 degrees Celsius. Sunny changing to overcast by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: High; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Tuesday 21 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 15 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 11 degrees Celsius. Sunny changing to overcast by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: High; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Wednesday 22 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 15 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to light rain by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Wednesday 22 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 15 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to light rain by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Thursday 23 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to light showers in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Thursday 23 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to light showers in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
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Friday 24 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 14 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 11 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Friday 24 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 14 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 11 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
Seven day forecast for Birsay Bay
| Time | 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 |
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| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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10°
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10°
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8° | 9° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 10° | 10° | 11° | 10° | 10° | 10° | 9° | 9° | 9° |
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NNW
13
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N
11
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N
8
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N
7
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N
4
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NW
5
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NW
6
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NW
7
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NW
5
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NW
5
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WNW
6
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WNW
5
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W
5
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WSW
7
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SW
7
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SW
8
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16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
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1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
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10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | G | G | G | VG | G | G | G | G | VG | VG | G | G | G |
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Humidity
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90% | 88% | 86% | 83% | 81% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 78% | 81% | 80% | 82% | 83% | 85% | 86% |
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UV
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1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 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 |
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| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 50% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
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11°
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11°
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10°
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10°
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10°
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10°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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12°
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12°
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12°
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13°
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13°
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13°
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13°
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13°
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12°
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12°
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12°
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11°
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10°
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10°
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9° | 9° | 9° | 9° | 8° | 8° | 9° | 10° | 10° | 10° | 10° | 11° | 11° | 11° | 12° | 11° | 12° | 11° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 10° | 9° | 9° |
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SW
8
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SW
8
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WSW
9
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WSW
9
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WSW
10
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WSW
9
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W
7
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W
6
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WNW
7
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WNW
7
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NW
8
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NNW
7
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NNW
8
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N
8
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N
8
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NNE
8
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NNE
8
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NNE
9
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NE
8
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NE
8
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ENE
8
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E
8
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ESE
8
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SE
8
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11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
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1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | VG | G | M | P | P | M | G | G | G | G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | G |
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Humidity
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87% | 87% | 91% | 93% | 95% | 95% | 95% | 94% | 93% | 90% | 89% | 87% | 84% | 82% | 81% | 79% | 77% | 79% | 82% | 83% | 84% | 87% | 92% | 92% |
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UV
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- | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
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| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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<5% | <5% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
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10°
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10°
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9°
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11°
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12°
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13°
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13°
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12°
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10°
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8° | 8° | 7° | 8° | 10° | 10° | 10° | 9° | 7° |
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SE
8
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SE
8
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SE
9
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SE
11
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SE
13
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SE
15
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SE
15
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SE
15
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SE
13
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13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 19 |
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1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | G | M | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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92% | 93% | 93% | 86% | 78% | 74% | 70% | 74% | 88% |
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UV
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- | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 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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11°
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13°
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15°
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15°
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14°
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12°
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7° | 6° | 8° | 11° | 12° | 12° | 11° | 9° |
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SE
11
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ESE
11
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ESE
12
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ESE
12
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ESE
13
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ESE
14
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SE
14
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SE
14
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16 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
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1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | G |
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Humidity
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90% | 93% | 86% | 75% | 72% | 76% | 84% | 94% |
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UV
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- | - | 1 | 4 | 6 | 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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10% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 50% |
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12°
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11°
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12°
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13°
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15°
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14°
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13°
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12°
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9° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 13° | 12° | 10° | 9° |
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SE
13
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SE
12
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SSE
13
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E
12
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SSE
11
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E
12
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SSE
13
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ESE
14
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19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
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1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
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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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94% | 96% | 93% | 87% | 80% | 83% | 85% | 89% |
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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 |
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| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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50% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 40% | 50% | 10% |
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11°
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11°
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11°
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11°
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12°
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12°
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12°
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11°
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8° | 8° | 8° | 8° | 9° | 9° | 9° | 8° |
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E
15
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E
16
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NE
17
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NNE
18
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NNE
18
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NNE
17
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NE
16
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NE
15
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20 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 21 |
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1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.4 |
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8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
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Humidity
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89% | 89% | 86% | 82% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 86% |
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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 |
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| 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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11°
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11°
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11°
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12°
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13°
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13°
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13°
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11°
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8° | 8° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 9° |
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S
14
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ENE
15
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ENE
15
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ENE
15
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SE
14
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SE
14
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ESE
14
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ESE
14
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20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
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2.0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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Direction of waves offshore
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– | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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G | G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | G |
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Humidity
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88% | 88% | 84% | 80% | 76% | 75% | 79% | 88% |
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UV
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- | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
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
Tide times
for Sat 18 May
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 19 May
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 20 May
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 21 May
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 22 May
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 23 May
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 24 May
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 25 May
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 26 May
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 27 May
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 28 May
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
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Orkney & Shetland weather forecast
Headline:
Haar on Saturday morning, brighter spells developing later.
Today:
A cloudy start on Saturday with some early mist or fog and drizzle. This lifts through the morning to allow some bright spells in the afternoon, Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Tonight:
Some bright spells at first, but it will cloud over through the evening with a few light showery outbreaks developing in the early hours. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
Sunday:
Cloudy morning with some showery outbreaks of rain and the odd fog patch. This clearing through the morning to allow a few bright spells in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Mainly dry Monday and Tuesday with some good spells of brightness or sunshine. Cloudier later Tuesday into Wednesday with a few showers possible.
Updated:
UK long range weather forecast
There is a lot of uncertainty in this period, initially the UK will be in-between low pressure over the near continent trying to keep things unsettled and potentially thundery, and high pressure to the west or northwest which would settle things down. This likely lending itself to a period of rain or showers or even thunderstorms in places mainly in the south and east whilst more settled conditions to the northwest. Later into the period increasingly settled conditions more likely for most, though southern or eastern areas remain occasionally less settled with showers or rain though there will be some sunshine between times, the best of this in western parts. Temperatures are likely to be a little above average, but some large spatial differences are likely.
Updated:
There is nothing to suggest that conditions will be massively different to climatology at the end of the current month and though the first half of June. That said, both temperatures and rainfall are more-likely to be a little above average overall, with further rain or showers (possibly heavy/thundery at times) but also some spells of warm sunshine.
Updated:
