Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 12:00, Monday 16 March 2026 until 12:00, Tuesday 17 March 2026
Small Craft Warning
South or southwest winds will reach force 6 or higher through the period on all Irish coasts.
Gale Warning
1. Southwest winds will occasionally reach gale force 8 early this afternoon (Monday) on Irish coastal waters from Slyne Head to Erris Head to Malin Head.
2. South or southwest winds will reach gale force 8 from tonight (Monday) on Irish coastal waters from Valentia to Erris Head to Malin Head.
Atlantic Swell
On all Atlantic and northern coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
A mostly fresh to strong southwesterly airflow covers Ireland, generated by a complex area of low pressure of 973hPa, centred approximately 600 nautical miles west of Erris Head and an anticyclone of 1027hPa, centred over northern Spain. A warm front is tracking northeastwards over the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Valentia to Erris Head to Malin Head
Wind: Southwesterly force 6 or 7 and gusty, reaching gale force 8 for a time in the west and northwest. Soon increasing south or southwest mainly force 7 or gale force 8. Decreasing force 6 or 7 by the end of the period.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain and drizzle at times. Mist patches too.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Forecast for Malin Head to Carnsore Point to Valentia and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Increasing southwesterly force 5 to 7 and gusty imminent, slackest generally in the north Channel. Later increasing south or southwest force 6 or 7, occasionally gale force 8 in the east.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain and drizzle at times. Mist patches too.
Visibility: Often moderate or poor.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Wednesday 18 March 2026
Strong to near gale force south or southwest winds, gale force at times in the east and northeast. Winds will gradually ease mostly moderate to strong from the south through Tuesday afternoon and evening and mostly light to moderate southeasterly or variable by Wednesday morning. Winds in the south and southwest will increase moderate to fresh northeasterly by the end of the period. Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain and drizzle at times. Mist and fog patches too. Becoming cloudy to fair in the northwest later Tuesday with isolated showers and becoming mostly fair in the south and east by the end of the period.
Forecast issued at: 12:00, Monday 16 March 2026
All times are local unless specified
