Sea Area Forecast

Forecast valid from: 18:00, Sunday 25 January 2026 until 18:00, Monday 26 January 2026

Small Craft Warning

Southeasterly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times this evening on Irish coasts from Erris Head to Malin Head to Carlingford Lough, extending to all Irish coasts tonight, before becoming confined to Irish coasts from Rossan Point to Carlingford Lough to Hook Head tomorrow afternoon.

Gale Warning

Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times Monday on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head.

Atlantic Swell

On Atlantic coasts this evening and early tonight.

Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC

An area of low pressure of 981hPa is centred to the northwest of Ireland generating a moderate to strong cyclonic airflow over the country.

Gale Warning: In effect

Small Craft Warning: In effect

Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes

Wave Height Forecast

Forecast for Erris Head to Malin Head to Belfast Lough

Wind: Southeast force 5 or 6. Soon increasing force 6 or 7. Later increasing gale force 8 at times.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered patches of rain, drizzle and mist. Becoming cloudy with persistent rain developing later.

Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation or mist.

Forecast for Belfast Lough to Howth Head to Hook Head and for the Irish Sea

Wind: Increasing east to southeast force 4 or 5 imminent. Soon increasing force 5 or 6. Later increasing force 6 or 7. Occasionally reaching gale force 8 by the end of the period.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered patches of rain, drizzle and mist. Becoming cloudy with persistent rain developing later.

Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation or mist.

Forecast for Hook Head to Mizen Head to Erris Head

Wind: Increasing southeasterly force 4 or 5 imminent. Soon increasing force 6 or 7, occasionally reaching gale force 8. Later veering southwesterly and decreasing force 3 to 5 and occasionally reaching force 6 and gusty.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered patches of rain, drizzle and mist. Becoming cloudy with persistent rain developing soon. Cloudy to fair with showers later.

Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation or mist.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Tuesday 27 January 2026

Strong to gale force southeast winds in the north and east with moderate to fresh and gusty southwest or variable winds elsewhere. Strong to gale force cyclonic winds developing in all areas through Tuesday. Weather: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain, heavy and persistent at times.

Forecast issued at: 18:00, Sunday 25 January 2026

All times are local unless specified