Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Thurso East.

First thing you need to know: the water is sitting at 54°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. No surprises there.

The outlook starts on Wednesday afternoon, July 8th, but don’t get excited. We’ve got a 3ft west swell with a 9-second period, but the wind is onshore out of the northwest at 10 km/h. The conditions are poor, and the energy is only moderate (201). It’s a write-off.

Thursday morning, July 9th, is where things get a little interesting. The swell pushes up to 4ft from the west, period still 9 seconds, but the wind swings to a light offshore from the SSE at 10 km/h. That’s clean. The energy is moderate (214), and the forecast actually sounds good. This is the first real window of the week. It’s likely the best on offer early on.

By Thursday afternoon, the wind shifts to a light cross-onshore out of the NE at 5 km/h, with 4ft swell. The energy picks up to 284, but the conditions are only marginal. It’s a step down from the morning.

Friday and Saturday are a bit of a mess. Onshore and cross-shore winds, choppy conditions, and the scores are poor. You’re looking at waves in the 3ft to 4ft range, but the wind just kills it.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Sunday, July 12th, through to Friday, July 17th, the surf is small, weak, and mostly poor. Swells drop to 1.0ft to 2ft, with energy values barely hitting 60. There’s a brief bump on Tuesday morning, July 14th, with a 4ft WNW swell, 11-second period, and clean offshore east winds at 15 km/h. The energy jumps to 367, and conditions are clean, but it’s only marginal. That’s the best of a bad bunch in that stretch.

The second week brings a bit more size but a lot of wind. Sunday, July 19th, and Monday, July 20th, see the swell climb to 5ft to 7ft out of the WNW, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, strong and gusty. It’s choppy and messy. Monday afternoon, July 20th, is a standout for size, with a 7ft WNW swell, 9-second period, and a light cross-shore wind from the NE at 5 km/h. The energy is strong (632), and the conditions are marginal. That’s likely the pick of the second week, but wind could still be a factor.

Tuesday, July 21st, morning brings the biggest swell of the run: 7ft from the WNW, 10-second period, and very strong energy (963). The wind is a light cross-onshore from the north at 5 km/h. This is expert territory, way too big for beginners. The long period (10 seconds) will give it good shape, but it’s best for the experienced crew.

After that, it’s downhill. Wednesday and Thursday, July 22nd and 23rd, see the wind howling onshore at 25 to 35 km/h, with lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell holds around 4ft to 7ft, but it’s not worth paddling out.

Best on offer: Thursday morning, July 9th, for clean, fun waves. And for the brave, Tuesday morning, July 21st, for the biggest swell of the period, but only if you’ve got the skills.

Rusty.

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