Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 12:00, Thursday 15 January 2026 until 12:00, Friday 16 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. South to southwest winds will reach force 6 at times today (Thursday) on Irish coasts from Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Malin Head. 2. Southerly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) on Irish coasts from Fair Head to Dungarvan to Bloody Foreland.
Gale Warning
Nil
Atlantic Swell
On Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
A complex depression of 978hPa centred to the south of Iceland extends a mostly moderate to fresh and unstable southwesterly airflow over Ireland with showery troughs embedded in the flow. A secondary depression will gradually approach from the west through the period.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Valentia to Erris Head to Fair Head
Wind: South or southwest force 4 or 5 and gusty, reaching force 6 at times. Soon increasing southerly mainly force 5 or 6 and gusty, reaching force 7 at times. Later decreasing southeasterly or cyclonic variable force 3 to 5 by the end of the period.
Weather: Scattered showers with hail and thunderstorms at times.
Visibility: Mostly good, but reducing moderate to poor in showers.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Fair Head to Carnsore Point to Valentia and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southerly mainly force 3 or 4 and gusty, reaching force 5 at times. Soon increasing force 4 or 5 and gusty, occasionally force 6. Later increasing force 5 or 6 and gusty, occasionally force 7.
Weather: Scattered showers with hail and thunderstorms at times.
Visibility: Mostly good, but reducing moderate to poor in showers.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Saturday 17 January 2026
Moderate to strong southerly winds in the east and north. Mostly moderate to fresh, occasionally strong southerly or cyclonic variable winds elsewhere, becoming mostly northerly by the end of the period. Weather: Scattered showers with hail and thunderstorms at times.
Forecast issued at: 12:00, Thursday 15 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
