Visitors to the coast in Southend-on-Sea are being urged to exercise caution this weekend as wave heights are expected to increase significantly by Sunday 10 May 2026. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution reports that while wave heights will measure between 0.4ft and 2.9ft on Wednesday, they are predicted to rise to between 2.7ft and 3.8ft by Sunday afternoon.
Those planning beach activities should remain vigilant regarding the changing conditions. The Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station, which is among the busiest coastal lifeboat stations in the UK, advises beach-goers to always keep a close watch on the direction of the tide. The water can move in faster than expected, and tide depths in the area can shift by as much as 10 metres throughout the course of a single day.
Beyond the incoming swell, the RNLI has issued a reminder that sea temperatures remain low enough to cause cold water shock. Even if the air feels warm, water temperatures below 15°C can seriously affect a person’s breathing and movement. This safety advice is particularly relevant for the upcoming weekend, which is forecast to bring rain on both Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures reaching up to 16°C.
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