Light and variable

Light and variable is a marine forecast term describing winds that are weak and lack a consistent direction. In practice, it usually means wind speeds are low, often below about 10 kts, with the breeze shifting enough that no reliable prevailing direction can be given.

For sailors, light and variable conditions can make sail trim, steering and ETA planning difficult, while power boaters may need to allow for more motoring and fuel use. With little wind-driven progress, Tidal Current can dominate your track over ground, so monitor Wind Speed and Wind Direction closely.

In PredictWind, compare models, local observations and high-resolution maps to see whether a light patch is temporary or part of a wider pattern. For coastal sailing, 1km Wind Maps can help identify land effects, sea breezes and local wind channels that broader forecasts may smooth out.