Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Monday 18 May 2026 until 18:00, Tuesday 19 May 2026
Small Craft Warning
Southeast winds gradually veering south to southwest will reach force 6 or higher this evening and early tonight on all Irish coasts becoming confined to Irish coasts from Malin Head to Carnsore Point to Slyne Head later.
Gale Warning
nil
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
Low pressure of 986hPa centred in the mid North Atlantic directs a moderate to strong easterly to southerly airflow over Ireland. Associated fronts are tracking northeastwards over the area.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : No
Forecast for Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head
Wind: Southeast force 5 to 7 and gusty, imminent veering south to southwest force 4 to 6. Later increasing southwest force 5 or 6, occasionally force 7 south of Loop Head but maintaining force 4 to 6 elsewhere.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain, drizzle, mist and fog, giving way to showers from the south-west overnight. Some of the showers will be heavy on Wednesday, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog, otherwise good.
Forecast for Erris Head to Malin Head to Belfast Lough
Wind: Southeast force 4 to 6. Imminent increasing force 5 to 7 and gusty. Soon decreasing southeast to south force 4 to 6. Later decreasing southerly force 3 to 5.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain, drizzle, mist and fog spreading northeastwards this evening, giving way to showers from the south-west overnight. Some of the showers will be heavy on Wednesday, with isolated thunderstorms.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog, otherwise good.
Forecast for Belfast Lough to Howth Head to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: South to southeast force 5 or 6, occasionally force 7 imminent. Soon veering southerly. Gradually veering south to southwest later.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with rain, drizzle, mist and fog, giving way to showers from the south-west overnight. Some of the showers will be heavy on Wednesday, with isolated thunderstorms possible.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog, otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Wednesday 20 May 2026
Moderate to strong south to southwest winds, slackest in the north on Tuesday evening and in the southwest during Wednesday. Weather; Mostly cloudy with showers, some heavy with isolated thunderstorms in the north and east at first, becoming isolated from the west through Tuesday night. Some fair spells in the north and east on Wednesday but generally cloudy elsewhere with patchy drizzle and mist.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Monday 18 May 2026
All times are local unless specified
