What's the weather like in the English Channel?

The information on this page comes from Mike Oram, one of the most experienced Channel Swimming pilots and Hon Secretary of the Channel Swimming & Pilot Federation.

There are many sources of information on the weather (see links below)

Weather forecasts:
- Dover: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=4234
- East Kent: http://www.eastkentweather.co.uk/

Sandettie Lightship information: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=62304

Weather Maps:
- Close in: http://uk.weather.com/maps/maptype/intlwinds/ukwindforecast24hr_large.html
- Atlantic: http://facs.scripps.edu/surf/images/euranim.gif

Swell, Wind & Wave: http://magicseaweed.com/index.php3

Gale forecast: https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC/EFS/no_atl_gale_all.html

Subscription service: http://theyr.net/cg/cny/I1f0d7a/F=js*L=CN*v*050606*9*EN*engl_London

Wind definitions:

Force 1 is --- 1 to 3 knots per hour
Force 2 is --- 4 to 6 knots per hour
Force 3 is --- 7 to 10 knots per hour
Force 4 is --- 11 to 16 knots per hour
Force 5 is --- 17 to 21 knots per hour
Force 6 is --- 22 to 27 knots per hour
Force 7 is --- 28 to 33 knots per hour
Force 8 is --- 34 to 40 knots per hour

A knot is 1 nautical mile = 2000yards = 1852 metres = 1.136 land miles.
A statute (land mile) is 1760 yards