Thurso Reef surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Thursday 08 Jan 2026 GMT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Thurso Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Thurso Reef sea temperature is
8.9° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thurso Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 12 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 09) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 11) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 8th Jan)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 8th Jan)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 9th Jan)7ft (2.2m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thurso Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Icy conditions (max 4°C on Fri morning, min -1°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon night, min 3°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sun night, light winds from the WSW by Tue night).

Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
4
4
3
2
3
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
W
1.6
W
1.9
W
2.1
W
1.8
WNW
1.6
W
1.7
W
2.2
W
1.8
W
1.4
W
0.9
W
0.6
W
0.8
W
0.8
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
0.9
W
0.7
W
0.4
W
1.6
W
1.3
W
Period(s) (?)1014121312121412111010131211151312121168
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)127102896315149767231110135572335614512517516397148823913237209235
Wind
(km/h)
15
S
15
S
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SE
15
SSE
25
S
20
S
25
S
45
SSE
35
SSE
45
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
45
S
30
SSE
20
SW
25
WSW
20
SW
20
SSW
20
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:47AM
4.89
12:37AM
4.33
12:32PM
4.67
1:24AM
4.14
1:22PM
4.42
2:17AM
3.99
2:18PM
4.18
3:17AM
3.91
3:23PM
4.00
4:22AM
3.93
4:37PM
3.92
5:25AM
4.03
5:48PM
3.95
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:11PM
1.42
6:16AM
2.08
6:59PM
1.70
7:05AM
2.30
7:52PM
1.97
8:03AM
2.48
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
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Sunrise8:59--8:59--8:57--8:56--8:55--8:53--8:52--
Sunset-3:41--3:42--3:45--3:47--3:48--3:49--3:52-
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
--------1431---------
Temp. °C212443323347789988666
Feels °C (?)-4-4-3-1-2-3-4-4-4-7-4021-1241110
  • 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 Thurso Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Thurso Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Thurso Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thurso Reef 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 (Thurso Reef) 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 Thurso Reef 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 Thurso Reef, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 2 km (1 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 31 km (19 miles) away, Kirkwall and Lossiemouth.

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