Weather

The weather in West Wight is quite mild, frosts that last more than a few hours are quite rare and whilst there have been very heavy snowfalls in the past they are now equally rare. The proximity to the sea means winter temperatures are moderate. An indication of the mildness of winters is Daffodils can be found in late December and there are usually lots in flower by the second week of January. Annual rainfall is on average less than 750mm, although at times rain may seem heavy and prolonged. Sea mists occasionally occur when warm moist air from the southwest reaches the colder land.

We occasionally suffer extremely powerful winds, storms that have developed in the Atlantic ocean can drive very large seas onto the south and southwest coasts of the Island. During the 1987 hurricane winds in excess of 160kph (100mph) were recorded at The Needles. This was exceptional but winds of Beaufort force 10, 90kph (55mph), can occur at The Needles and Freshwater Bay.

Sunshine records for the Island show we are in second place to Jersey which has the highest recorded figure for the British Isles. During summer, when the temperature rises, it is always possible to find a spot close to the sea where an onshore breeze cools the air.