Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 23:30, Wednesday 14 October 2026 until 00:00, Friday 16 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
1) South to southwest winds will reach force 6 or higher tonight on Irish coasts from Fair Head to Carnsore Point to Slyne Head, becoming confined to Irish coasts from Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point to Mizen Head by early tomorrow (Thursday) morning, easing southeastwards later in the morning and early afternoon.
2) Southwest to west winds will occasionally reach force 6 on Thursday afternoon and evening on Irish coasts from Slyne Head to Erris Head to Malin Head.
Gale Warning
South to southwest winds will reach gale force 8 at times tonight and early tomorrow (Thursday) morning on the North Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern, western and northern coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 21:00 UTC
Ireland lies in a fresh to near gale force southerly airflow generated by a mature storm depression of 940hPa centred over eastern Iceland. Its associated cold front continues to slowly track southeastwards across Ireland tonight and tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point to Valentia and for the Irish Sea
Wind: South to southwest force 6 or 7 and gusty, occasionally reaching gale force 8 on the North Irish Sea. Gradually veering west to northwest through Thursday morning and afternoon and decreasing force 4 or 5.
Weather: Cloudy with rain extending southeastwards imminent and soon, heavy at times. Occasional mist. Rain and clearing southeastwards later, with fair weather and isolated showers following.
Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Valentia to Loop Head to Slyne Head
Wind: Decreasing northwesterly force 4 or 5 imminent. Soon westerly. Later increasing force 4 to 6 and occasionally gusty.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, heavy at times. Occasional mist. Rain clearing southeastwards soon, with fair weather following. Later scattered showers, some heavy.
Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Slyne Head to Bloody Foreland to Belfast Lough
Wind: Mostly southwest to west force 4 or 5, northwest force 3 or 4 imminent in the northeast. Soon increasing southwest to west force 4 to 6 and occasionally gusty.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, heavy at times. Occasional mist. Becoming cloudy to fair imminent and soon with isolated showers. Later scattered showers, some heavy.
Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 00:00, Saturday 17 October 2026
Wind: Moderate to fresh west to northwest winds, increasing strong and gusty at times in the west and north on Thursday night and early Friday and increasing strong at times in the east later Friday and Friday night. Winds veering northwest to north towards the end of the period. Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, some heavy and with a chance of thunder, especially in the north. Becoming mostly fair later.
Forecast issued at: 23:30, Wednesday 14 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
