Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Friday 23 January 2026 until 06:00, Saturday 24 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
East to northeast winds will reach force 6 at times this morning (Friday) on Irish coasts from Bloody Foreland to Howth Head to Valentia, extending to all Irish coasts this afternoon, and becoming confined to Irish coasts from Malin Head to Howth Head to Valentia by the end of the period.
Gale Warning
Easterly winds will reach gale force 8 this evening and tonight (Friday) on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Hook Head to Roches Point.
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern and western coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Ireland lies in an easterly airflow with a depression of 957hPa centred approximately 230 nautical miles south of Mizen Head. An associated occluded front approaches the south coast of the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Bloody Foreland
Wind: Imminent becoming east to northeast force 4 to 6. Decreasing force 4 or 5 by the end of the period.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Mist and fog patches too.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation or mist and fog.
Forecast for Bloody Foreland to Howth Head to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Easterly force 4 to 6. Imminent increasing force 6 or near gale force 7 south of Belfast Lough and force 5 or 6 north of Belfast Lough.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Carnsore Point to Roches Point to Mizen Head
Wind: East to northeast force 6 or near gale force 7. Later reaching gale force 8 at times between Carnsore Point and Roches Point.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Sunday 25 January 2026
Fresh to near gale force easterly winds in the north and east. Mostly moderate to fresh east to northeast winds in the west. Strong to near gale force east to northeast winds in the south easing moderate to fresh through Saturday and becoming variable. Weather: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Friday 23 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
