Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 12:00, Wednesday 18 February 2026 until 12:00, Thursday 19 February 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Southeasterly winds will reach force 6 or higher on Irish coasts from Slyne Head to Belfast Lough to Dungarvan today, becoming confined to Irish coasts from Rossan Point to Fair Head to Carlingford Lough this evening.
2. Northwest winds will reach force 6 or higher tonight on Irish coasts from Roches Point to Valentia to Slyne Head.
Gale Warning
1. Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 today on Irish coastal waters from Erris Head to Strangford Lough to Dungarvan and on the Irish Sea, becoming confined this afternoon to Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Fair Head to Carlingford Lough and on the North Irish Sea.
2. Northwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 tonight on Irish coastal waters from Roches Point to Valentia to Slyne Head.
Atlantic Swell
Developing on southwestern and western coasts today (Wednesday).
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
Low pressure of 982hPa centred approximately 200nm west of Erris Head extends a strong to gale force south to southeast airflow over Ireland.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Erris Head to Strangford Lough to Dungarvan and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southeast force 6 to gale force 8. Decreasing force 5 to 7 imminent, but gale force 8 in the north. Later decreasing east to southeast force 3 to 5.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, drizzle and mist.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Forecast for Dungarvan to Valentia to Erris Head
Wind: South to southwest force 3 to 5. Veering west to southwest force 4 to 6 imminent. Soon increasing northwest force 6 to gale force 8. Decreasing northwest force 6 or 7 by the end of the period.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, drizzle and mist. Cloudy to fair with showers imminent.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Friday 20 February 2026
Strong to near gale force northwest winds in the west and south will decrease fresh westerly through Thursday. Elsewhere, winds will be mainly light to moderate and variable. On Thursday night winds will increase fresh to near gale force southwesterly. Weather: Rain and drizzle easing in the east on Thursday, becoming cloudy to fair with showers. Cloud and rain extending from the west on Thursday night.
Forecast issued at: 12:00, Wednesday 18 February 2026
All times are local unless specified
