Hebridean Weather

You WON'T be doing much of this in the Western Isles....

You WON'T be doing much of this in the Western Isles, anytime of the year.... unless you're Billy Connolly ;-) (photo thanks to Flickr user "sheepdogcatfish")

Hebridean Weather

The word that best describes the Outer Hebridean weather is "changeable" or even "elemental".

There are two factors that influence this - the Gulf Stream that brings warm waters up from the Caribbean through the Minch to the east and the North Atlantic weather systems slamming in from the west.

Of course, with the Atlantic rollers coming in on the west, you get some of the best surfing beaches in Europe, such as Dal Mor and Dal Beag on the West Side of Lewis.

Click here for current weather conditions in Ness, Isle of Lewis (Clicking the above link will open a new window!)

As soon as I start speaking with my American accent in the shops here on Lewis, I inevitably get asked where I am from originally (as well as how long I'm on holiday for!) - when I tell them I'm a Florida native and yes, I do actually live here, they wonder at why I would relocate here! Then a long conversation ensues about the weather.

The topic of weather is always an ice-breaker in Britain, but particularly so in the Western Isles. You could even say a comment about the weather replaces 'hello'! Be sure to look out for such favourite local comments such as: "Och, it's wild today!" "Tha e fuar agus fliuch." (Gaelic for 'It's cold and wet', funnily enough one of the first things you learn in that language...)

One thing positive to say about the 'elemental' weather - when it's good, you don't take it for granted. Then you see the islands in all their glorious beauty, heave a big sigh and then you get out there and get what needs doing done or visit what you can as you don't know for how long it'll be good.

This year has been particularly wet with the El Nino conditions affecting world climate.

In fact, I have taken visitors to sites such as the Callanish Stones or Dun Carloway Broch in the pouring rain. We don't let the weather stop us (unless it's a severe gale force wind)!

Click here for the BBC's forecast for Stornoway

What to wear?

No matter what time of the year... The watchword here is: WATERPROOF!

The temperatures here in the Outer Hebrides don't get extreme either hot or cold, so it's best to dress in layers with the outer layer waterproof (there it is again!).

When I'm out working on the croft in wet & windy conditions, I have a special head to foot waterproof suit, including a hood. I look like a giant green tellytubby, but I don't care! I'm dry!

A note about umbrellas: they are only good if there isn't a gale on. If it's really windy, they'll just go inside out! Better to have a waterproof jacket/coat with a stay put hood on.

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