Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Wednesday 07 January 2026 until 18:00, Thursday 08 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. West to northwest winds will reach force 6 or higher at times this evening and early tonight on Irish coasts from Carnsore point to Valentia to Bloody Foreland. 2. Northwest to north winds will reach force 6 or higher tomorrow afternoon on Irish coasts from Wicklow Head to Hook Head to Mizen Head.
Gale Warning
Northerly winds will reach gale force 8 at times tomorrow afternoon on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Dungarvan to Mizen Head.
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
An occluding front associated with a complex depression 992hPa centred to southeast of Iceland lies over Ireland and is expected clear northeastwards over the country this evening.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : Nil
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Howth Head to Hook Head to Loop Head and for the south Irish Sea
Wind: Northwesterly force 5 or 6, decreasing force 4 or 5 and occasionally force 6 imminent. Soon decreasing westerly or variable force 2 to 4. Later increasing northerly force 5 to 7 and reaching gale force 8 between Wicklow Head and Mizen Head.
Weather: Patchy rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards followed by isolated showers. Rain developing in the southwest soon, spreading northeastwards later, turning heavy at times.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Loop Head to Erris Head to Bloody Foreland
Wind: Northwest force 5 or 6 and occasionally force 7. Soon decreasing force 3 or 4 and gusty. Later becoming northerly or variable force 2 to 4.
Weather: Patchy rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards followed by isolated showers. Rain developing in southern parts later with showers elsewhere.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Fair Head to Howth Head and for the north Irish Sea
Wind: Westerly or variable force 2 to 4. Soon increasing force 3 to 5. Later decreasing force 2 to 4. Increasing northerly force 4 or 5 by the end of the period.
Weather: Patchy rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards followed by isolated showers. Rain in eastern parts later with showers elsewhere.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Friday 09 January 2026
Strong to gale force northwesterly winds in southern sea areas with mostly moderate to fresh northerly winds elsewhere at first. Winds will become mostly fresh to strong by Friday evening, increasing near gale to gale force at times in western and southwestern sea areas. Weather: Rain clearing eastwards followed by showers, some heavy with hail and sleet and isolated thunderstorms possible.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Wednesday 07 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
