United Kingdom - Weather
UK Weather for Sailors
The UK climate is mild and temperate, being greatly influenced by the Atlantic and Gulf Stream. Rainfall is heavier on the western coasts. The spring, from March to May, can be cool and wet, while summer, from June to September, can be warm. The weather is very changeable, mostly due to low-pressure systems that track east across the Atlantic bringing strong SW winds, usually of gale force. Occasionally there are long spells of pleasant weather when a system of high pressure remains stationary over the British Isles. In the summer months when the jet stream is more northerly the Atlantic lows track usually between Scotland and Iceland, giving the worst of the weather to the north, especially Northern Ireland and Scotland. In the winter the jet stream sinks south and then low systems track in across England, especially the southwest: Cornwall and the English Channel being worst affected, but also south Wales.
Overall, prevailing winds are usually westerly in summer, and easterly/northern in winter.
Strong tides make navigation around the British Isles particularly difficult.
In Scotland, the weather is very changeable, two days are never the same, but it rarely goes below freezing between March and November, May and June are often the best months with temperatures up to 24°C. The occasional summer gales rarely last longer than two days.
UK Weather Forecast Links:
- Weather forecasts are available on www.metoffice.gov.uk
Click on “leisure”, then “marine”, then “inshore waters forecast”. It gives a good reliable forecast for all UK waters. Issued at 05.00hrs and 17.00hrs. This forecast is repeated on VHF channel 16 every 6 hours by local coastguard stations to include new Outlook along with navigational warnings. - Marinecall by Telephone – +44(0)845 610 1800.
- United Kingdom Weather Forecast
- For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.
- Admiralty Easytide website
www.easytide.admiralty.co.uk
Tidal prediction site from the UK Hydrographic Office that provides tidal data up to seven days ahead free of charge.
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Hi Tori,
We are currently trying to work through the logistics of bringing a dog into the UK too. We are all still in Australia. It would seem that the only way to get our puppy into Britain is to travel via a designated port by approved means. For us it will mean taking a berth in Cherbourg and travelling by ferry to Poole with him, placing him in a boarding kennel, returning to Cherbourg then sailing back to Poole where we will reunite
Regards
Michael
I’m sailing from Norway to Britain with a dog. I’ve come to realize Shetland is a no go port. Is it at all possible for us to sail around Britain with a 35 kilo dog, that has all his relevant documents? He’s been to other European countries over the past 5 years with no problem. Any advice?
See the pet section for details please: https://www.noonsite.com/place/united-kingdom/view/pets/
I’m looking of buying a yacht but looking to live on it within either a marina or at a mooring. The yacht would be around 40 foot in length. I’m have trouble finding a marina that allows live aboard while in a marina. Would be grateful if someone can point me in the right direction.
Many thanks Chris
Hi Chris, 100% recommend you join the Cruising Association (CA) and ask their advice. They have a huge membership base in the UK and will be able to let you know the score re. living aboard there.
From my own experience a week ago, I can add Yarmouth in the Solent as a port for supply/shelter during corona shutdown for yachts in transit.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YACHTS VISITING THE UK
It is important to remember that the UK is not part of the Schengen Area Agreement, so it is necessary for any boat with non-EU nationals on board to clear with UK Immigration (many non-EU visitors would be granted a 6-month visitor’s visa).
Failure to report means you are illegal immigrants!
EU citizens automatically have the right to stay (at the moment). The UK leaving the EU will change many regulations.
Non-EU citizens can only freely move within the Schengen Area (for 90 days in any 180 day period) once cleared into their first designated Schengen country. EU countries outside Schengen must be cleared into in the usual way.
It is not unusual for those from outside Europe do not understand the difference between the Schengen Area and the EU. For a full explanation see noonsite’s EU page – http://www.noonsite.com/General/EuropeanUnion