Sea Area Forecast

Forecast valid from: 06:00, Friday 09 January 2026 until 06:00, Saturday 10 January 2026

Small Craft Warning

West to northwest winds will reach force 6 or higher today and tonight (Friday) on Irish coasts from Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head.

Gale Warning

West to northwest winds will occasionally reach gale force 8 today (Friday) and for a time tonight on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Loop Head to Slyne Head.

Atlantic Swell

Developing on Atlantic coasts on Friday afternoon.

Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC

Storm Goretti, with central pressure of 967hPa and centred to the southeast of England in the English channel, extends a moderate to strong north to northwest airflow over Ireland. Frontal troughs are embedded in the flow.

Gale Warning: In effect

Small Craft Warning: In effect

Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes

Wave Height Forecast

Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head

Wind: West to northwest force 4 to 6 and gusty. Soon increasing northwesterly force 6 or 7, occasionally reaching gale force 8. Decreasing force 5 or 6 by the end of the period.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, turning heavy at times with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Visibility: Good, decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.

Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Erris Head to Fair Head to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea

Wind: North to northwest force 2 to 4, reaching force 5 or 6 south of Strangford Lough and on the Irish Sea. Later becoming northwesterly or variable force 2 to 4. Increasing northwesterly force 5 or 6 between Erris Head and Bloody Foreland by the end of the period.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, turning heavy at times with a slight chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Visibility: Good, decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Sunday 11 January 2026

Fresh to strong northwesterly winds in the west and south. Light to moderate southerly or variable winds elsewhere. Becoming light to moderate, occasionally fresh, west to southwest winds everywhere on Saturday morning. Increasing strong to gale force southerly winds on Saturday evening. Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, some heavy with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Cloud and rain extending from the west on Saturday evening.

Forecast issued at: 06:00, Friday 09 January 2026

All times are local unless specified