Sea Area Forecast

Forecast valid from: 00:00, Friday 09 January 2026 until 00:00, Saturday 10 January 2026

Small Craft Warning

Northwesterly winds will reach force 6 or higher tonight (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Carlingford Lough to Dungarvan to Erris Head, becoming confined on Friday morning to Irish coasts from Dungarvan to Valentia to Erris Head.

Gale Warning

West to northwest winds will occasionally reach gale force 8 tomorrow afternoon and evening (Friday) on Irish coastal waters from Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Slyne Head.

Atlantic Swell

Developing on Atlantic coasts of Friday afternoon.

Meteorological Situation at 21:00 UTC

Storm Goretti (968hPa) is centred to the south of England in the English Channel and extends a fresh to near gale force northerly airflow over Ireland. Frontal troughs are embedded in the flow.

Gale Warning: In effect

Small Craft Warning: In effect

Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes

Wave Height Forecast

Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Wicklow Head to Roche's Point to Erris Head

Wind: Northwest to west force 4 to 6 and gusty imminent. Soon reaching force 7 and gusty between Mizen Head and Erris Head. Later increasing northwesterly force 6 or 7, occasionally reaching gale force 8.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, turning heavy at times with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Visibility: Good, decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.

Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Erris Head to Fair Head to Wicklow Head and for the Irish Sea

Wind: North to northwest force 2 to 4 imminent, reaching force 5 or 6 south of Strangford Lough and on the Irish Sea. Later becoming northwest or variable force 2 to 4.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, turning heavy at times with a slight chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Visibility: Good, decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 00:00, Sunday 11 January 2026

Strong to near gale force, occasionally gale force, northwesterly winds in the west and south. Light to moderate southerly or variable winds elsewhere. Becoming light to moderate, occasionally fresh, west to southwest winds everywhere on Saturday morning. Increasing fresh to near gale force southerly winds on Saturday evening, reaching gale force in the west. Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, some heavy with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Cloud and rain extending from the west on Saturday evening.

Forecast issued at: 00:00, Friday 09 January 2026

All times are local unless specified