Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 23:00, Thursday 29 January 2026 until 00:00, Saturday 31 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
Cyclonic variable winds will reach force 6 or higher on all Irish coasts tonight (Thursday night) and tomorrow morning, becoming confined to coasts from Erris Head to Dungarvan from tomorrow afternoon.
Gale Warning
East to southeast winds will reach gale force tonight (Thursday night) and tomorrow morning on Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Fair Head to Carlingford Lough and on the North Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
On southern and Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 21:00 UTC
A broad depression of 969hPa to the west of Ireland generates a strong to gale force southeasterly airflow over the country. An occluded front moves northeastwards over the area.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Erris Head to Malin Head to Belfast Lough
Wind: East to southeast force 6 to gale force 8 and gusty. Later decreasing force 4 to 6.
Weather: Rain or showers, heavy at times.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Belfast Lough to Howth Head to Hook Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: East to southeast force 6 to gale force 8 and gusty. Imminently veering southeast to south force 5 to 7. Soon backing southeast force 4 to 6. Later becoming cyclonic variable force 5 to 7.
Weather: Rain or showers, heavy at times. Thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Hook Head to Valentia to Erris Head
Wind: Cyclonic variable force 4 to 6. Imminently increasing force 5 to 7. Soon decreasing force 3 to 5, occasionally increasing force 6 in the southwest and later in the south.
Weather: Rain or showers, heavy at times. Thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 00:00, Sunday 01 February 2026
From the northwest to the southeast, fresh to near gale force easterly or cyclonic variable winds, gradually decreasing light to moderate. Elsewhere, mostly moderate to fresh westerly or cyclonic variable winds, occasionally increasing strong. Weather: Outbreaks of rain in the north, east and southeast, gradually clearing northeastwards. Scattered showers in other areas.
Forecast issued at: 23:00, Thursday 29 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
