Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Thursday 29 January 2026 until 06:00, Friday 30 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
East to southeast winds, becoming southerly or cyclonic variable later, will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts today and tonight.
Gale Warning
Easterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times this afternoon and evening on Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Fair Head to Carlingford Lough.
Atlantic Swell
On southwest and west coasts on Thursday night with high seas.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
A broad depression of 960hPa centred in the mid-Atlantic maintains a mostly fresh to strong southeast airflow over Ireland.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Loop Head to Fair Head to Hook Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: East to southeast force 6 or 7 imminent, soon reaching gale force 8 at times. Later becoming south to southeast.
Weather: Outbreaks of rain, fair at times in the east and northeast. More persistent and heavy rain later.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Hook Head to Roches Point to Loop Head
Wind: Southeast force 5 to 7 imminent, soon becoming south to southeast force 4 or 5. Later becoming southwesterly force 5 to 7, decreasing force 5 or 6 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times. Showers later.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Saturday 31 January 2026
Fresh to near gale force cyclonic variable winds, occasionally reaching gale force. Winds decreasing moderate to strong on Friday night. Weather: Outbreaks of rain turning heavy at times. Showers on Friday night.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Thursday 29 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
