Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 12:00, Saturday 20 December 2025 until 12:00, Sunday 21 December 2025
Small Craft Warning
1. Southeasterly winds veering westerly in the west and south this afternoon will reach force 6 or higher on all Irish coasts. 2. Mainly southeasterly winds will continue to reach force 6 or higher this evening and early tonight on Irish coasts from Slyne Head to Fair Head to Carnsore Point.
Gale Warning
1. Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 on Irish coastal waters from Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point to Roches Point and on the South Irish Sea this afternoon, becoming confined to Irish coastal waters from Carlingford Lough to Howth Head to Carnsore Point this evening and early tonight. 2. Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times overnight (early Sunday) on Irish coastal waters from Malin Head to Fair Head to Belfast Lough
Atlantic Swell
On Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
An elongated and filling depression of 977hPa centred around 250 nautical miles southeast of Iceland generates a strong to gale force southeasterly airflow over Ireland. Associated frontal troughs are tracking northeastwards over the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head
Wind: Imminent veering mainly westerly force 4 to 6 but maintaining south to southeast force 5 or 6 north of Slyne Head. Soon decreasing southwest or variable force 2 to 4 between Hook Head and Slyne Head but maintaining southerly force 5 or 6 elsewhere. Later backing southeast and increasing force 3 to 5.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with outbreaks of rain clearing eastwards to showers this afternoon. Mist and fog patches possible soon.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog otherwise good.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Erris Head to Fair Head to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southeast force 6 to gale force 8 and gusty. Later decreasing force 4 to 6.
Weather: Becoming cloudy with outbreaks of rain spreading from the southwest. Clearing to showers later.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Monday 22 December 2025
Mostly moderate to fresh south or southeast winds, occasionally strong in the northeast at first, backing easterly on Sunday night. Winds will decrease mainly light to moderate easterly or variable by Monday morning but they'll continue moderate to fresh occasionally strong easterly in the northeast and on the North Irish Sea. Weather; Patchy rain, drizzle, mist and fog, becoming persistent in the east and north later.
Forecast issued at: 12:00, Saturday 20 December 2025
All times are local unless specified
