The Bowl surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Sunday 11 Jan 2026 GMT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Bowl surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Bowl sea temperature is
8.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Bowl this week:

The surf forecast for The Bowl over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Bowl in the next 12 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 15) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jan 19) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 13th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 13th Jan)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 9PM (Thu 15th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Bowl over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun night, min 4°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Mon morning, calm by Tue morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Fri afternoon, min 4°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon).

Sun
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
4
4
1
0
2
3
2
4
5
6
0
0
3
4
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
W
1.2
W
2.2
W
4
WSW
3.5
W
3.5
NW
2.1
NW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
2
WNW
0.9
WNW
1
WNW
2.5
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.1
W
1.6
W
1.3
W
0.9
W
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)10121111111212111010921191716151413121211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)158416119143532469294311421597177271613897944575313365827251768861485217329
Wind
(km/h)
35
SSE
50
SSE
55
SSW
60
SW
15
SW
5
SSW
30
W
40
WNW
25
SW
25
S
20
S
15
SSW
10
SSE
5
NE
30
NNW
40
WNW
20
SW
20
SSE
25
SE
50
SSE
55
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscrosscross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offglassoncross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:17AM
3.91
3:23PM
4.00
4:22AM
3.93
4:37PM
3.92
5:25AM
4.03
5:48PM
3.95
6:20AM
4.20
6:47PM
4.06
7:06AM
4.38
7:35PM
4.21
7:45AM
4.56
8:14PM
4.36
8:20AM
4.72
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:53PM
2.19
9:19AM
2.58
10:03PM
2.31
10:41AM
2.54
11:09PM
2.32
11:48AM
2.37
12:04AM
2.24
12:40PM
2.15
12:50AM
2.11
1:23PM
1.92
1:31AM
1.97
2:01PM
1.71
2:08AM
1.83
Sun
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunrise--8:56--8:55--8:53--8:52--8:51--8:49--8:48
Sunset3:47--3:48--3:51--3:52--3:55--3:56--3:59--
cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
Rain (mm)
-1---723--1--244----6
Temp. °C798764655556666765675
Feels °C (?)-1-3-4-6-12-3-4-1-2-1223-1-2-1-1-3-4-7
  • 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 The Bowl Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Bowl provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at The Bowl can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Bowl 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 (The Bowl) 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 The Bowl 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Scotland - North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near The Bowl, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 7 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Scotland - North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wick which is 39 km (24 miles) away and Kirkwall, 56 km (35 miles) away.

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