Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 05:00, Friday 30 January 2026 until 06:00, Saturday 31 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Cyclonic variable winds will reach force 6 or higher on all Irish coasts this morning (Friday), becoming confined to coasts from Erris Head to Dungarvan from this afternoon. 2. Easterly or cyclonic variable winds will reach force 6 or higher tonight (Friday night) and tomorrow morning on Irish coasts from Malin Head to Howth Head to Carnsore Point.
Gale Warning
East to southeast winds will reach gale force this morning (Friday) on Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Malin head to Fair Head.
Atlantic Swell
On southern and Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
A broad depression of 971hPa to the west of Ireland generates a strong to gale force cyclonic airflow over the country. Occluded fronts track 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. Soon decreasing force 4 to 6. Later becoming cyclonic variable.
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: Southeast to south force 5 to 7 and gusty. Imminently backing southeast force 4 to 6. Soon becoming cyclonic variable force 5 to 7. Later decreasing force 4 to 6.
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 5 to 7. Imminently decreasing force 3 to 5, occasionally increasing force 6 in the southwest and south.
Weather: Rain or showers, heavy at times. Thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Sunday 01 February 2026
Mainly moderate to strong cyclonic variable winds, occasionally decreasing light. Weather: Cloudy or fair with showers. Rain in the southwest and west later.
Forecast issued at: 05:00, Friday 30 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
