Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Tuesday 17 February 2026 until 06:00, Wednesday 18 February 2026
Small Craft Warning
Southeasterly winds will reach force 6 at times on all Irish coasts through the period.
Gale Warning
1. Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times this evening and tonight (Tuesday) on Irish coastal waters from Valentia to Erris Head to Fair Head. 2. Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times tonight (Tuesday night) on Irish coastal waters from Wicklow Head to Carnsore Point to Hook Head.
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern, western and northwestern coasts early in the period.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Ireland lies between a depression of 997hPa centred in the North Sea and a depression of 1000hPa in the Atlantic. A weather front associated with the Atlantic depression approaches the southwest of the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Carnsore Point to Slyne Head to Fair Head
Wind: Imminent increasing east to southeast force 4 to 6. Soon increasing southeasterly force 6 or 7. Later reaching gale force 8 between Valentia and Fair Head and between Carnsore Point and Hook Head, but decreasing south to southwest force 4 to 6 between Roches Point and Loop Head by the end of the period.
Weather: Cloud and outbreaks of rain and drizzle spreading from the southwest through the period.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, otherwise good.
Forecast for Fair Head to Howth Head to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Northeasterly force 3 or 4 imminent. Soon veering east to southeast force 4 or 5. Later veering southeasterly force 6 or 7, reaching gale force 8 at times south of Wicklow Head by the end of the period.
Weather: Fair. Cloud spreading from the southwest soon. Outbreaks of rain by the end of the period.
Visibility: Mostly good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Thursday 19 February 2026
Moderate to strong south to southwest winds in the southwest and west will gradually veer northwesterly and increase strong to gale force on Wednesday night. Strong to gale force southeasterly winds elsewhere will gradually ease mostly moderate to strong easterly. Weather: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Tuesday 17 February 2026
All times are local unless specified
