Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Wednesday 21 October 2026 until 18:00, Thursday 22 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Northwest to west winds will reach force 6 or higher at times this evening (Wednesday) on Irish coasts from Malin Head to Carnsore Point to Loop Head, becoming confined early tonight to Irish coasts from Wicklow Head to Roches Point to Loop Head.
2. East to northeast winds will reach force 6 or higher tomorrow evening (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Carnsore Point to Roches Point to Loop Head.
Gale Warning
nil
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
Ireland lies in a mostly fresh to near gale westerly airflow generated by a complex area of low pressure of 982hPa centred to the southwest of Iceland, with a secondary depression of 991hPa centred over Scotland. Showery troughs are embedded in the flow. Storm Austen will approach the southwest of Ireland towards the end of the period.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : No
Forecast for Slyne Head to Fair Head to Wicklow Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: Decreasing west to northwest force 3 to 5 imminent. Later backing south to southwest.
Weather: Rain in the northwest clearing imminent. Fair with scattered showers elsewhere, some heavy with thunder possible.
Visibility: Good, decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Wicklow Head to Roches Point to Slyne Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Westerly force 5 to 7. Soon decreasing force 3 to 5. Later backing southerly. Increasing east to northeast force 5 to 7 by the end of the period.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with showers, some heavy with thunder possible. Showers becoming isolated soon. Rain extending from the southwest later.
Visibility: Good, decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Friday 23 October 2026
Storm Austen will track to the south of Ireland with fresh to near gale force easterly or cyclonic variable winds, backing northwesterly. Winds will increase gale force or strong gale force in the south and southeast on Thursday night, reaching storm force at times. Winds will back fresh to near gale force west to northwest winds through Friday. Weather: Rain in the southwest will extend northeastwards, gradually becoming confined to the northeast on Friday morning. Showers will follow from the west.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Wednesday 21 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
