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
-
Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 14 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 14 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Moderate; Pollen: Low.
-
Thursday 2 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 16 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Thursday 2 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 16 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
-
Friday 3 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 15 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Friday 3 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 15 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
-
Saturday 4 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Sunny intervals changing to overcast in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Saturday 4 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Sunny intervals changing to overcast in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
-
Sunday 5 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Sunday 5 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
-
Monday 6 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Monday 6 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 13 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
-
Tuesday 7 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to sunny intervals by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Tuesday 7 May. Maximum daytime temperature: 12 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius. Overcast changing to sunny intervals by late morning. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
Seven day forecast for Birsay Bay
| Time | 23:00 |
|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
<5% |
|
|
9°
|
|
|
7° |
|
|
ESE
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
9 |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
G |
|
Humidity
|
85% |
|
UV
|
- |
| 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
|
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
|
|
9° | 8° | 7° | 7° | 7° | 7° | 7° | 9° | 10° | 10° | 11° | 11° | 12° | 12° | 12° | 12° | 13° | 12° | 11° | 10° | 9° | 8° | 7° | 7° |
|
|
E
5
|
E
12
|
ENE
13
|
ENE
11
|
ENE
11
|
ENE
12
|
E
12
|
E
12
|
E
13
|
E
13
|
E
14
|
ESE
16
|
ESE
15
|
ESE
13
|
E
14
|
E
13
|
E
12
|
E
12
|
ENE
13
|
ENE
14
|
ENE
13
|
ENE
12
|
ENE
12
|
ENE
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
|
|
0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
|
|
9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
80% | 77% | 78% | 83% | 84% | 84% | 82% | 77% | 73% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 65% | 63% | 62% | 62% | 62% | 64% | 68% | 73% | 77% | 81% | 84% | 85% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
<5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
|
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
10°
|
|
|
7° | 7° | 6° | 8° | 11° | 12° | 11° | 9° | 7° |
|
|
ENE
11
|
ENE
11
|
ENE
10
|
ENE
11
|
E
12
|
E
14
|
ESE
15
|
E
14
|
E
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
|
|
0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
|
|
8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VG | G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
85% | 87% | 90% | 81% | 69% | 66% | 67% | 75% | 84% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
<5% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
|
|
7° | 7° | 8° | 10° | 11° | 10° | 8° | 7° |
|
|
E
12
|
E
14
|
ESE
12
|
E
13
|
ESE
14
|
ESE
14
|
ESE
14
|
ESE
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
|
|
0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
|
|
11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G | VG | VG | VG | VG | G | G | G |
|
Humidity
|
85% | 86% | 85% | 79% | 80% | 85% | 90% | 94% |
|
UV
|
- | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
|
|
8° | 8° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 9° |
|
|
ESE
10
|
SE
8
|
SE
7
|
SSE
9
|
S
11
|
SSE
10
|
S
9
|
SSE
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
|
|
0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
|
|
9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Humidity
|
94% | 94% | 93% | 87% | 84% | 83% | 87% | 92% |
|
UV
|
- | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
10°
|
|
|
8° | 9° | 8° | 10° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 8° |
|
|
SE
9
|
SE
7
|
ESE
9
|
ESE
12
|
SE
13
|
SE
14
|
SSE
14
|
S
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 16 |
|
|
0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
|
|
9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M | G | M | G | VG | VG | VG | G |
|
Humidity
|
93% | 95% | 93% | 84% | 78% | 77% | 80% | 92% |
|
UV
|
- | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
|
|
7° | 7° | 8° | 9° | 10° | 9° | 8° | 7° |
|
|
S
12
|
SSW
11
|
SSW
11
|
SW
12
|
E
14
|
ESE
14
|
ESE
15
|
SE
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
|
|
1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | – | – | – |
|
|
9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | – | – | – |
|
Direction of waves offshore
|
|
|
|
|
|
– | – | – |
|
|
G | M | G | G | G | VG | VG | G |
|
Humidity
|
92% | 93% | 91% | 86% | 82% | 81% | 84% | 89% |
|
UV
|
- | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 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 Wed 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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
Loading map…
Orkney & Shetland weather forecast
Headline:
Dry on Thursday. Haar mostly clearing, leaving some warm sunshine.
This Evening and Tonight:
Mainly dry although the odd shower and some low cloud or haar possible, most likely across Orkney with clear spells in Shetland. Light east or southeast winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
Thursday:
Any haar should soon clear to leave a dry and mainly bright day with some warm sunshine. Winds light or moderate form the east or northeast. Maximum temperature 16 °C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Mainly dry and settled with bright or sunny spells. However, haar is likely at times which could be slow to clear on the east side of both Orkney and Shetland.
Updated:
UK long range weather forecast
On Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, the weather details are still fairly uncertain, but overall it should be fairly warm with scattered showers. There is also a chance of cloudier conditions with rain spreading from the southwest for a time on Sunday. As we move into the new week, the chance of rain and showers reduces as high pressure builds to the east of the UK. This will bring dry and fine weather for most areas, although there is still a possibility of rain or showers in the west. Into the following week, high pressure is likely to remain dominant. Sunnier conditions are expected across the south, while it may be cloudier in the north and east. Temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal for early May.
Updated:
During the longer range outlook period, there is a greater chance of unsettled weather returning, especially across the south. This means that spells of wet weather are likely for most, notably across southern or central areas, while drier conditions on balance are more likely further north. There are no strong signs for any exceptional temperatures either above or below average, but warm days are possible as are some chilly nights.
Updated:
