Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Wednesday 21 January 2026 until 18:00, Thursday 22 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Cyclonic variable winds will reach force 6 or higher this evening (Wednesday) and tonight on Irish coasts from Roches Point to Bloody Foreland to Carnsore Point.
2. Southeasterly winds will reach force 6 or higher tomorrow (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Malin Head to Belfast Lough to Howth Head.
3. Northwesterly winds will reach force 6 or higher tomorrow (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Roches Point to Valentia to Slyne Head.
Gale Warning
Nil
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern and western coasts Wednesday night and Thursday.
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
Low Pressure of 972hPa, centred just off the southwest coast, extends a mostly fresh to near gale force easterly or cyclonic variable airflow over Ireland.
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 to 7. Later becoming southeast to east.
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 force 4 or 5, occasionally force 6. Soon decreasing southeasterly or cyclonic variable force 3 to 5. Later increasing westerly or variable force 4 to 6.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Forecast for Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Slyne Head
Wind: Northwesterly or cyclonic variable force 4 to 6 imminent. Soon increasing mainly force 5 to 7. Later decreasing westerly mainly force 3 to 5.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist. Cloudy to fair later with isolated showers.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor. Becoming mostly good later.
Forecast for Slyne Head to Erris Head to Bloody Foreland
Wind: Decreasing cyclonic variable force 3 to 5 imminent.
Weather: Rain or showers. Areas of mist.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Friday 23 January 2026
Fresh to strong easterly winds in the north and northeast, reaching near gale force at times. Mostly light to moderate cyclonic variable winds elsewhere. Fresh to near gale force east to northeast winds will develop through Friday, possibly reaching gale force in the east and southeast towards the end of the period. Weather: Rain or showers with areas of mist.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Wednesday 21 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
