Thurso Reef surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Tuesday 20 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
8.5° 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 Monday (Jan 26) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period. 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 2.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Jan 21) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 26th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 3PM (Tue 27th Jan)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 20th Jan)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Tue afternoon, min 3°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, gales from the SE by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Temperatures will be slightly above freezing (max 4°C on Fri night, min 1°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sun night).

Tue
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
2.1
W
1.5
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
0.7
W
0.9
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
1.3
W
1.5
W
1.7
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
0.9
W
0.7
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.5
W
Period(s) (?)151413131212171513131216161615141312111115
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)34161884794408239134481513331165141827107415119585652631348855115
Wind
(km/h)
35
SE
50
SE
50
ESE
55
SE
60
SE
60
SE
60
SE
60
ESE
55
ESE
45
ESE
45
ESE
40
ESE
35
ESE
35
ESE
30
E
20
E
10
SE
10
SE
15
SE
20
ESE
15
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:55PM
4.64
9:57AM
4.98
10:28PM
4.64
10:30AM
4.99
11:03PM
4.60
11:05AM
4.93
11:42PM
4.52
11:44AM
4.82
12:25AM
4.39
12:30PM
4.65
1:18AM
4.25
1:27PM
4.45
2:23AM
4.14
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:43PM
1.29
3:51AM
1.60
4:18PM
1.25
4:25AM
1.62
4:53PM
1.27
5:01AM
1.69
5:32PM
1.35
5:39AM
1.82
6:13PM
1.50
6:24AM
1.99
7:02PM
1.70
7:18AM
2.18
8:03PM
1.92
8:31AM
2.33
Tue
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Sunrise--8:41--8:41--8:38--8:37--8:34--8:33--8:32
Sunset4:05--4:07--4:09--4:12--4:14--4:16--4:19--
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
--212-13222--2-------
Temp. °C886765544343323323333
Feels °C (?)0-2-5-5-7-9-8-10-8-8-6-7-6-8-5-4-3-1-2-4-2
  • 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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