Sea Area Forecast

Forecast valid from: 11:00, Tuesday 17 February 2026 until 12:00, Wednesday 18 February 2026

Small Craft Warning

Southeast winds will increase to force 6 or higher from today (Tuesday) through tomorrow (Wednesday) on all Irish coasts.

Gale Warning

Southeast winds will increase to gale force 8 today (Tuesday) on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Loop Head to Erris Head, extending to Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Malin Head to Hook Head and the Irish Sea tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday).

Atlantic Swell

developing on southwestern and western coasts on Wednesday.

Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC

Low Pressure of 990hPa centred approximately 500 nautical miles west of Valentia extends a light to moderate east to south-east air-flow over Ireland. A strong to gale force southeasterly air-flow will develop over Ireland today.

Gale Warning: In effect

Small Craft Warning: In effect

Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes

Wave Height Forecast

Forecast for Rossan Point to Fair Head to Hook Head and for the Irish Sea

Wind: East force 4 or 5. Becoming east to south-east force 5 or 6 imminent. Soon increasing south-east force 6 to gale force 8. Later becoming south-east force 7 or gale force 8 and gusty.

Weather: Cloudy. Rain, drizzle and mist developing soon.

Visibility: Mostly good at first. Decreasing moderate to poor later.

Forecast for Hook Head to Valentia to Rossan Point

Wind: Southeast force 5 to 7. Increasing southeast force 6 to gale force 8 imminent. Later decreasing south to south-west force 5 or 6.

Weather: Rain, drizzle and mist.

Visibility: Decreasing generally moderate or poor imminent.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Thursday 19 February 2026

Strong to gale force south-east winds on all Irish coasts and on the Irish Sea at first on Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday night and Thursday, there will be fresh to strong east to south-east winds on northern and eastern coasts whilst strong westerly winds develop on southern and western coasts. Weather: widespread outbreaks of rain with areas of mist and drizzle.

Forecast issued at: 11:00, Tuesday 17 February 2026

All times are local unless specified