Short Sands surfForecast / Maine / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Sunday 18 Jan 2026 EST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Short Sands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Short Sands sea temperature is
5.1° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Short Sands this week:

The surf forecast for Short Sands over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 19) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Short Sands in the next 12 days are 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 22) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (EST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Mon 19th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 8s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 19th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 8s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 19th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Short Sands over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast A light covering of new snow mostly falling on Sun night. Icy conditions (max 2°C on Sun morning, min -10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the W by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Icy conditions (max 2°C on Thu morning, min -19°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
SE
0.4
ESE
0.7
SE
0.6
SE
0.8
SE
0.9
SE
0.5
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.2
ESE
0.2
ESE
0.3
SE
Period(s) (?)99881099999101010111111111111119
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)99336851130141422927202323252929304029111114
Wind
(km/h)
10
WSW
5
N
20
N
5
W
25
W
30
W
30
W
30
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
25
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
30
SW
30
W
30
W
35
W
30
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
10
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:41AM
2.82
11:19PM
2.45
11:19AM
2.87
11:55PM
2.51
11:55AM
2.89
12:29AM
2.58
12:32PM
2.89
1:04AM
2.64
1:11PM
2.85
1:41AM
2.71
1:54PM
2.78
2:22AM
2.76
2:42PM
2.68
3:09AM
2.79
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:12PM
-0.01
5:10AM
0.28
5:47PM
-0.07
5:48AM
0.21
6:21PM
-0.11
6:27AM
0.15
6:56PM
-0.12
7:07AM
0.10
7:33PM
-0.11
7:51AM
0.07
8:14PM
-0.07
8:40AM
0.05
8:59PM
0.00
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunrise7:09--7:09--7:07--7:07--7:07--7:05--7:05--
Sunset-4:35--4:37--4:37--4:38--4:39--4:42--4:43-
cloud
cloud
light snow
light snow
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light snow
Rain (mm)
-------------1-------
Temp. °C21-110-3-6-6-9-6-4-122-1-5-6-9-16-15-14
Feels °C (?)-2-3-6-5-8-12-15-15-17-14-12-7-5-6-10-15-16-18-24-22-20
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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Information about the Short Sands Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Short Sands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Short Sands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Short Sands surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Short Sands) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Short Sands may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Short Sands is 17 km (11 miles) from Portsmouth. If you plan a vacation in Maine, look for hotels and other accommodation in Portsmouth. Portsmouth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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