Thurso Reef surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm 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 Friday (Jan 09) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Thurso Reef in the next 12 days are 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 15) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore 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 12) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 9th Jan)6ft (1.9m) 12s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 15th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 19s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 15th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 18s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Temperatures will be slightly above freezing (max 4°C on Fri night, min 1°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Thu night, strong winds from the SSE by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sun night, min 3°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Mon night, gales from the WNW by Tue afternoon).

Thu
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
2
3
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
4
0
0
0
0
1
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
W
1.9
W
2.1
W
1.9
W
1.6
W
1.7
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
1
W
0.7
W
0.8
W
1.1
W
1.3
W
2
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.5
WNW
1.9
NW
1.5
NNW
1.2
NNW
1.1
W
Period(s) (?)141213121213121110101312121311111211121122
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)11589631514106272310016283321869221532750414011858161219329615773191144
Wind
(km/h)
15
S
15
S
15
SSE
15
SSE
20
SSE
25
SSE
20
SSE
25
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
40
SSE
25
SSE
25
SSE
15
S
55
W
65
WNW
50
NW
40
NW
30
WNW
15
SSW
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
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
crosscrosscrosscrossoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
6:20AM
4.20
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
Thu
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Sunrise--8:59--8:57--8:56--8:55--8:53--8:52--8:52
Sunset3:41--3:42--3:45--3:47--3:48--3:49--3:52--
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
-------3622--3-331--2
Temp. °C223343234688885345435
Feels °C (?)-3-3-2-2-3-4-4-5-5-2222-1-7-11-8-4-5-11
  • 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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