Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Thursday 22 January 2026 until 06:00, Friday 23 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Southeasterly winds will reach force 6 or higher today (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Malin Head to Belfast Lough to Carlingford Lough.
2. Northwesterly winds will reach force 6 or higher today and tonight (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Roches Point to Valentia to Loop Head.
Gale Warning
Nil
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern and western coasts Wednesday night and Thursday.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Low pressure of 979hPa, centred to the northwest Ireland, generates a mostly fresh to near gale force cyclonic variable airflow over the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Bloody Foreland to Belfast Lough to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: Southeasterly force 5 or 6. Later increasing easterly force 6 or 7. Decreasing southeasterly force 4 to 6 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Forecast for Howth Head to Carnsore Point to Dungarvan and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Southeasterly or cyclonic variable force 3 or 4, occasionally reaching force 5. Later becoming southerly. Increasing easterly force 5 or 6 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Forecast for Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Slyne Head
Wind: Northwesterly force 4 to 6. Soon decreasing westerly or variable force 2 to 4. Later becoming northeasterly or variable force 5 to 7 east of Valentia.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Forecast for Slyne Head to Erris Head to Bloody Foreland
Wind: Cyclonic variable force 2 to 4. Later increasing west force 5 or 6 north of Rossan Point. Becoming southwest force 4 or 5 and occasionally force 6 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Saturday 24 January 2026
Fresh to near gale force easterly winds developing through Friday, possibly reaching gale force in the east and southeast Friday evening and overnight. Weather: Rain or showers with areas of mist.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Thursday 22 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
