Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Wednesday 04 February 2026 until 06:00, Thursday 05 February 2026
Small Craft Warning
East or southeast winds will reach force 6 or higher at times through the period on all Irish coasts.
Gale Warning
Easterly winds will increase to gale force 8 at times late Wednesday night on Irish coastal waters from Belfast Lough to Wicklow Head to Roches Point and on the Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
Nil.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
A complex area of low pressure of 965hPa, centred approximately 510 nautical miles west-southwest of Valentia, extends a mostly fresh to strong east or southeast airflow over the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Howth Head to Roches Point to Loop Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Southeast or east force 5 or 6 imminent. Later increasing east force 6 or 7. Further increasing force 7 or gale force 8 between Howth Head and Roches Point by the end of the period.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers. Outbreaks of rain later.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, otherwise good.
Forecast for Loop Head to Malin Head to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: East or southeast mainly force 5 or 6, occasionlly force 7 at first in the west and northwest. Later increasing east force 6 or 7, reaching gale force 8 at times in the east and northeast by the end of the period.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain or drizzle. Cloudy to fair with occasional showers soon.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Friday 06 February 2026
Strong to gale force easterly winds, easing moderate to strong southeasterly or cyclonic variable at times in parts of the south and southwest. Weather: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Wednesday 04 February 2026
All times are local unless specified
