Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 11:00, Friday 23 October 2026 until 12:00, Saturday 24 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Northwesterly will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts today (Friday).
2. Southerly winds veering southwesterly will reach force 6 or higher tonight (Friday) and tomorrow morning (Saturday) on all Irish coasts.
Gale Warning
1. Northwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 on the Irish Sea today (Friday).
2. Southwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 tomorrow morning (Saturday) on all Irish coastal waters.
Atlantic Swell
Developing on western and southwestern coasts Friday evening.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
Ireland lies in a mostly strong to gale force northwesterly airflow generated by Storm Austen, a depression of 985hPa centred southeast of England. Associated frontal troughs are clearing the east and northeast of the country as the storm continues to track eastwards.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Fair Head to Wicklow Head to Mizen Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: North to northwest force 6 to gale force 8, strongest in the Irish Sea. Soon decreasing west to northwest force 4 to 6. Later backing west to southwest and further backing southerly force 6 to gale force 8 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times clearing eastwards imminent, followed by well scattered showers. Rain and drizzle later.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head
Wind: West to northwest force 5 to 7. Decreasing force 4 to 6 imminent. Soon backing west to southwest. Later increasing southerly force 6 to gale force 8 and veering southwesterly by the end of the period.
Weather: Fair to cloudy with scattered showers. Rain later, turning heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Sunday 25 October 2026
South to southwest winds will increase gale force to strong gale force Saturday morning, veering westerly later and increasing storm force in the north and northwest. Winds will veer west to northwest and decrease near gale force to strong gale force during Sunday morning. Weather: Rain, heavy at times, followed by blustery showers later Saturday, heaviest in the north. Chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Forecast issued at: 11:00, Friday 23 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
