Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Saturday 06 December 2025 until 06:00, Sunday 07 December 2025
Small Craft Warning
1. Southwest winds will reach force 6 or higher at times today (Saturday) on Irish coasts from Belfast Lough to Roches Point to Rossan Point easing early tonight. 2. South to southeast winds will increase to force 6 at times early Sunday morning on Irish coasts from Valentia to Slyne Head to Erris Head.
Gale Warning
Southwest to west winds will occasionally reach gale force 8 today (Saturday) until early afternoon on Irish coastal waters from Hook Head to Mizen Head to Slyne Head.
Atlantic Swell
On Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
A slow-moving depression of 975hPa centred around 260 nautical miles northwest of Erris Head generates an unstable southwest to west airflow over Ireland, strong to gale force in the south, moderate to fresh in the north. Associated frontal troughs are embedded in the flow.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Erris Head to Malin Head to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: Southwest force 4 or 5, imminent increasing force 5 or 6 south of Strangford Lough and on North Irish Sea south of Isle of Man. Soon increasing southwest to west force 4 to 6, occasionally force 7 on the north Irish Sea. Later decreasing force 4 or 5. Backing south to southeast towards the end of the period and decreasing force 3 or 4 south of Fair Head.
Weather: Showers, some heavy and prolonged, becoming isolated later. Patchy rain and drizzle spreading from the southwest towards the end of the period.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, otherwise good.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Howth Head to Roches Point to Erris Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Southwest to west force 6 to gale force 8 and gusty. Soon decreasing force 5 to 7 and gusty. Later decreasing southerly force 4 or 5, but increasing force 6 north of Valentia towards the end of the period.
Weather: Showers, some heavy and prolonged, becoming isolated later. Patchy rain and drizzle spreading from the southwest towards the end of the period.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Monday 08 December 2025
Moderate to fresh, occasionally strong southerly winds. Winds gradually veering westerly or cyclonic for a time on Sunday and increasing strong to near gale at times. Winds backing mainly southwest to south on Sunday night and increasing fresh to near gale, possibly touching gale force at times in the southwest. Weather; Outbreaks of rain and drizzle gradually clearing northeastwards during Sunday followed by showers.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Saturday 06 December 2025
All times are local unless specified
