Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Wednesday 08 April 2026 until 18:00, Thursday 09 April 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Southwest to west winds will reach force 6 at times this evening (Wednesday) and tonight on Irish coasts from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Malin Head.
2. Westerly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times tomorrow (Thursday) on all Irish coasts.
Gale Warning
Nil
Atlantic Swell
Developing on Atlantic coasts Thursday afternoon.
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
A strengthening southwesterly airflow covers Ireland, generated by a ridge extending from an Azores high of 1039hPa and a depression of 971hPa, centred to the southwest of Iceland. An associated cold front is approaching from the west.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Malin Head
Wind: Southwesterly force 4 to 6. Soon becoming westerly force 5 or 6 and gusty. Later increasing force 6 or 7 and gusty. Decreasing west to northwest force 5 or 6 and gusty, occasionally force 7 by the end of the period.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain, drizzle and mist becoming cloudy to fair with scattered showers imminent, some heavy with hail and isolated thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Forecast for Malin Head to Wicklow Head to Mizen Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southwesterly force 3 or 4, occasionally force 5. Soon increasing southwest to west mainly force 4 or 5, occasionally force 6. Soon increasing westerly force 5 or 6 and gusty, reaching force 7 at times.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with mist and fog patches. Mostly cloudy with rain, drizzle and mist soon. Cloudy to fair later with scattered showers, some heavy with hail and isolated thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Friday 10 April 2026
Mostly fresh to strong westerly winds, easing moderate to fresh early Thursday night before backing southerly and increasing strong to near gale force in the west by Friday morning. Southerly winds will increase strong to near gale force in all areas through Friday, reaching gale force or possibly strong gale force in southwestern, western and northwestern areas. Weather: Cloudy to fair with showers becoming isolated and mostly confined to the north early Thursday night. Cloud will build from the west with rain and drizzle extending to all areas Thursday night and Friday morning, turning heavier through the day.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Wednesday 08 April 2026
All times are local unless specified
