Annual water quality and today’s swimming conditions are different things.
A site can have an Excellent annual classification and still have a temporary warning or closure today. The two signals answer different questions.
What the annual class tells you
The annual class summarizes monitored microbiological quality over the assessment period. It is useful for comparing longer-term patterns and seeing whether a bathing water has repeatedly met the Directive’s standards.
What can change quickly
Heavy rain, sewer overflows, agricultural runoff, floods, harmful algae, strong currents, storms, local contamination or an emergency incident can change conditions far faster than an annual classification changes.
What to check before swimming
Use the linked national bathing-water profile when one is available. Also check local authority notices, beach signage and lifeguard instructions. Where a competent authority has issued a warning or prohibition, that current notice takes priority over the historical annual class.