Surf Forecast for Gills Bay Slab
type: Dataset
description: 10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Gills Bay Slab, Caithness, UK
about: Gills Bay Slab
  type: TouristAttraction
  geo: GeoCoordinates
    latitude: 58.645
    longitude: -3.125
  description: Gills Bay Slab is one of Europe's heaviest waves--a monstrous left-hand slab that only comes alive during the most violent winter storms.
summary:
  best day:
    date: 2026-08-05
    score: 0
    category: Poor
    explanation: Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-05 with a score of 0/100 (Poor)
  firing days count: 0
  overall recommendation: Poor conditions overall: Average score 0/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-05
  day index: 0
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: No alignment: Swell from 82° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
      swell size:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 7s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 7
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 43° (NE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: -10
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: true
        explanation: -10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: 0
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (82°), size (1.2m), or wind (11 km/h from 43°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 1.2
      height ft: 3.9
      direction degrees: 82
      direction cardinal: E
      period s: 7
      peak period s: 6.5
      explanation: 1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 82° (E) at 6.5s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 11
      speed mph: 6.8
      direction degrees: 43
      direction cardinal: NE
      explanation: 11 km/h (7 mph) from 43° (NE)
    windswell:
      height m: 0.3
      period s: 2
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-06
  day index: 1
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 1
    confidence explanation: Very high confidence (0-1 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 11
        out of: 25
        explanation: Moderate alignment: Swell from 40° is 25° off optimal 15°, workable but not ideal.
      swell size:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 21 km/h from 321° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: -7
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: true
        explanation: -7 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: -3
        windswell degraded: false
        explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (40°), size (0.9m), or wind (21 km/h from 321°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 0.9
      height ft: 3.0
      direction degrees: 40
      direction cardinal: NE
      period s: 8
      peak period s: 8.1
      explanation: 0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 40° (NE) at 8.1s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 21
      speed mph: 13.0
      direction degrees: 321
      direction cardinal: NW
      explanation: 21 km/h (13 mph) from 321° (NW)
    windswell:
      height m: 0.6
      period s: 3
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-07
  day index: 2
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.95
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    breakdown:
      swell direction:
        score: 6
        out of: 25
        explanation: Poor alignment: Swell from 60° is 45° off optimal 15°, barely within workable range 340°-60°.
      swell size:
        score: 0
        out of: 25
        explanation: Too small: 0.4m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
      swell period:
        score: 1
        out of: 25
        explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
      wind:
        score: 2
        out of: 25
        explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 27 km/h from 189° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
    adjustments:
      wind history:
        adjustment: -14
        groomed: false
        morning sickness: true
        explanation: -14 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
      windswell penalty:
        adjustment: -7
        windswell degraded: true
        explanation: -7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
      secondary swell bonus:
        adjustment: 0
        explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
    summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (60°), size (0.4m), or wind (27 km/h from 189°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
  conditions:
    swell:
      height m: 0.4
      height ft: 1.3
      direction degrees: 60
      direction cardinal: ENE
      period s: 8
      peak period s: 8.2
      explanation: 0.4m (1.3ft) swell from 60° (ENE) at 8.2s period
    wind:
      speed kmh: 27
      speed mph: 16.8
      direction degrees: 189
      direction cardinal: S
      explanation: 27 km/h (17 mph) from 189° (S)
    windswell:
      height m: 0.5
      period s: 3
      explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
forecasts:
  date: 2026-08-08
  day index: 3
  strike score:
    final score: 0
    category: Poor
    category emoji: 💤
    confidence: 0.92
    confidence explanation: High confidence (2-3 day forecast)
    summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (233°), size (0.7m), or wind (22 km/h from 190°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
provider: Strike Mission
date published: 2026-08-05T04:15:16.374Z
temporal coverage: 2026-08-05/2026-08-14
data sources: Open-Meteo Marine API (swell/wave data)
data sources: Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)

swell direction:
  score: 0
  out of: 25
  explanation: No alignment: Swell from 233° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
swell size:
  score: 1
  out of: 25
  explanation: Too small: 0.7m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
swell period:
  score: 1
  out of: 25
  explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
wind:
  score: 7
  out of: 25
  explanation: Strong offshore: 22 km/h from 190° (S). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.

wind history:
  adjustment: -17
  groomed: false
  morning sickness: true
  explanation: -17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
windswell penalty:
  adjustment: -5
  windswell degraded: true
  explanation: -5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
secondary swell bonus:
  adjustment: 0
  explanation: No secondary swell bonus.

swell:
  height m: 0.7
  height ft: 2.3
  direction degrees: 233
  direction cardinal: SW
  period s: 8
  explanation: 0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 233° (SW) at 8s period
wind:
  speed kmh: 22
  speed mph: 13.7
  direction degrees: 190
  direction cardinal: S
  explanation: 22 km/h (14 mph) from 190° (S)
windswell:
  height m: 0.6
  period s: 3
  explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-09
day index: 4
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.89
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 131° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 6s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 39 km/h from 273° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -11
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -11 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (131°), size (1.0m), or wind (39 km/h from 273°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1
    height ft: 3.3
    direction degrees: 131
    direction cardinal: SE
    period s: 6
    explanation: 1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 131° (SE) at 6s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 39
    speed mph: 24.2
    direction degrees: 273
    direction cardinal: W
    explanation: 39 km/h (24 mph) from 273° (W)

date: 2026-08-10
day index: 5
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.86
  confidence explanation: Moderate confidence (4-5 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 81° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 0.4m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 3
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 14 km/h from 337° (NNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -14
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -14 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -7
      windswell degraded: true
      explanation: -7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (81°), size (0.4m), or wind (14 km/h from 337°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.4
    height ft: 1.3
    direction degrees: 81
    direction cardinal: E
    period s: 8
    explanation: 0.4m (1.3ft) swell from 81° (E) at 8s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 14
    speed mph: 8.7
    direction degrees: 337
    direction cardinal: NNW
    explanation: 14 km/h (9 mph) from 337° (NNW)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.5
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-11
day index: 6
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.83
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 296° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 0.3m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 8s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 21 km/h from 142° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -7
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -7 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -7
      windswell degraded: true
      explanation: -7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (296°), size (0.3m), or wind (21 km/h from 142°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.3
    height ft: 1.0
    direction degrees: 296
    direction cardinal: WNW
    period s: 8
    explanation: 0.3m (1.0ft) swell from 296° (WNW) at 8s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 21
    speed mph: 13.0
    direction degrees: 142
    direction cardinal: SE
    explanation: 21 km/h (13 mph) from 142° (SE)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.4
    period s: 2
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-12
day index: 7
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Low confidence (6-7 day forecast)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 128° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 7s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 16 km/h from 153° (SSE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -14
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -14 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (128°), size (1.0m), or wind (16 km/h from 153°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 1
    height ft: 3.3
    direction degrees: 128
    direction cardinal: SE
    period s: 7
    explanation: 1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 128° (SE) at 7s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 16
    speed mph: 9.9
    direction degrees: 153
    direction cardinal: SSE
    explanation: 16 km/h (10 mph) from 153° (SSE)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.3
    period s: 2
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-13
day index: 8
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 141° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 0.4m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 1
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 7s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Onshore/cross-shore: 35 km/h from 278° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 190°-260°.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -7
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -7 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: -10
      windswell degraded: true
      explanation: -10 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (141°), size (0.4m), or wind (35 km/h from 278°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.4
    height ft: 1.3
    direction degrees: 141
    direction cardinal: SE
    period s: 7
    explanation: 0.4m (1.3ft) swell from 141° (SE) at 7s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 35
    speed mph: 21.7
    direction degrees: 278
    direction cardinal: W
    explanation: 35 km/h (22 mph) from 278° (W)
  windswell:
    height m: 0.8
    period s: 3
    explanation: Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)

date: 2026-08-14
day index: 9
strike score:
  final score: 0
  category: Poor
  category emoji: 💤
  confidence: 0.8
  confidence explanation: Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
  breakdown:
    swell direction:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: No alignment: Swell from 134° is outside workable range 340°-60°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
    swell size:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Too small: 0.4m is below minimum 2.5m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
    swell period:
      score: 0
      out of: 25
      explanation: Short period: 6s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
    wind:
      score: 25
      out of: 25
      explanation: Light offshore: 8 km/h from 218° (SW). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
  adjustments:
    wind history:
      adjustment: -14
      groomed: false
      morning sickness: true
      explanation: -14 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
    windswell penalty:
      adjustment: 0
      windswell degraded: false
      explanation: Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
    secondary swell bonus:
      adjustment: 0
      explanation: No secondary swell bonus.
  summary: Poor conditions at Gills Bay Slab. Either swell direction (134°), size (0.4m), or wind (8 km/h from 218°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
conditions:
  swell:
    height m: 0.4
    height ft: 1.3
    direction degrees: 134
    direction cardinal: SE
    period s: 6
    explanation: 0.4m (1.3ft) swell from 134° (SE) at 6s period
  wind:
    speed kmh: 8
    speed mph: 5.0
    direction degrees: 218
    direction cardinal: SW
    explanation: 8 km/h (5 mph) from 218° (SW)

Strike Mission
type: Organization