December brings a mix of weather patterns to the South West Coast Path, characterized by frequent rain showers and varying temperatures along different segments of the trail. Rain is a common feature throughout the route, often alternating with overcast and partly cloudy days. Temperatures range from lows around freezing to highs reaching low double digits in degrees Celsius. While some locations enjoy sunny intervals, others face persistent cloud cover and occasional heavy downpours. The coastline experiences its fair share of moderate winds, particularly during periods of rain.
In Exmoor, starting at Minehead, the weather includes episodes of moderate rain and occasional heavy downpours. Overcast skies dominate with temperatures reaching up to 12°C and dropping to freezing on colder days. Continuing to Porlock Weir, the pattern of rain persists with varying intensity and some instances of freezing conditions during the nighttime.
At Lynton, the rainy weather continues to be a significant feature, interspersed with moments of sunshine. Highs reach around 12°C, creating brief warm spells amidst generally cooler days.
In North Devon, starting at Combe Martin, overcast conditions and rain are frequent. Despite periods of cloud cover, temperatures occasionally peak at 12°C. Woolacombe and Braunton experience similar weather, with rain being a consistent presence and highs fluctuating in the low teens.
As the trail reaches Instow and Westward Ho, heavy rain periods emerge, mixing with sunny intervals and temperatures ranging from 7°C to 14°C. Clovelly and Hartland Quay maintain this pattern, with significant rains often accompanied by brief clearings.
Entering Cornwall at Bude, rain showers continue with heavy periods mixed into the daily forecasts. Crackington Haven and Tintagel face moderately heavy rain showers as the norm, with only minimal breaks in precipitation.
In Port Isaac and Padstow, heavy rainfall alternates with cloudy spells. Temperatures remain steady around 12°C. Moving on to Porthcothan and Newquay, the scenery sees periods of heavy rain showers buffered by occasional sunny breaks.
As the trail leads to Perranporth and Portreath, consistent rain includes heavy downpours, though highs reach into low teens, offering some warmth between wet periods. Onward to Hayle and St Ives, the weather holds a similar pattern, punctuated with patchy spells of sunshine.
In South Devon, varying weather continues to emergent. Patchy rain and moderate showers dominate as the path moves through Plymouth and River Yealm, with temperatures fluctuating to a mild degree of a maximum 12°C.
Bigbury on Sea and Salcombe face alternating periods of rain and clouds, while Torcross sees similar conditions with intervals of heavy showers. Dartmouth and Brixham experience some clearer weather moments, although rain is a persistent feature.
In East Devon, Exmouth experiences moderate rain at intervals, with temperatures averaging around 9°C. Sidmouth's forecast includes significant rainfall, often heavy, while Seaton typically remains overcast with frequent rain showers.
Upon entering Dorset, Seatown and Abbotsbury are characterized by heavy rain showers interspersed with cloudy periods. Temperatures fluctuate modestly as heavy rains punctuate generally overcast conditions.
Ferrybridge, repeated on the trail, similarly endures heavy rain mixed with sporadic sunny days. At Lulworth Cove and Worth Matravers, moderate rainfall remains a staple feature, often paired with overcast skies that extend through to South Haven Point.
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