Tide Predictions for the Solway Coast
The Solway Coast - how to predict the tide times
The Solway coast between Dykesfield and Drumburgh, also between Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway is at sea level. These areas can be affected by tidal flooding. You must be aware of when this is likely to occur and allow sufficient time for a safe walk. Information is provided for your benefit in three ways.
- Notice boards - Located at Dykesfield and Bowness-on-Solway. The boards contain the current month’s tide prediction tables.
- Online – There is a Tide Times website which provides a free seven day prediction service and you can access it any time by going to www.tidetimes.org.uk then select Silloth (the nearest port on the Solway coast to the National Trail).
- RSS Feed - Get daily tide times for Silloth via RSS from the tide times website.
You are interested in high tides with heights of 9 metres and above which may cause the affected parts of the Trail to flood.
However, because the prediction is for the nearest port of Silloth you will need to do a conversion for the Trail as follows:
- during Greenwich Mean Time (also known as winter time) add on one hour;
- during British Summer Time add on two hours.
You will now have a time for high tide adjusted for the Trail. Finally, allow for an hour either side of high tide when the sections affected should be avoided.
Do bear in mind that the tide tables give predictions only and that many conditions, for example wind speed and atmospheric pressure, can influence the likelihood of the Solway marshes flooding. The Solway estuary can look an entirely benign place, but the water can rise very quickly.