Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 00:00, Friday 19 December 2025 until 00:00, Saturday 20 December 2025
Small Craft Warning
Southwesterly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts through the period.
Gale Warning
Southwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times tonight on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea, later becoming confined to Irish coastal waters from Slyne Head to Bloody Foreland to Belfast Lough and the north Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
On Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 21:00 UTC
A depression of 968hPa centred south of Iceland generates a strong to gale force southwesterly airflow over Ireland. Showery troughs remain embedded in the flow.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Slyne Head to Malin Head to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: Southwesterly force 6 to gale force 8. Later decreasing force 5 or 6.
Weather: Fair spells and scattered heavy showers, especially in Atlantic areas. Chance of hail and thunderstorms.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in showers, otherwise good.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Howth Head to Roches Point to Slyne Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Southwesterly force 6 to gale force 8. Soon gradually decreasing force 5 or 6. Increasing southerly 6 or 7 and gusty later.
Weather: Fair spells and scattered heavy showers, especially in Atlantic areas. Chance of hail and thunderstorms.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in showers, otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 00:00, Sunday 21 December 2025
Strong to gale force south to southeast winds will extend to all sea areas, later veering southwest and easing but with further gales on the Irish Sea into Saturday evening. A cold front will track in from the Atlantic during Saturday day with the bent-back occlusion following into northwest areas.
Forecast issued at: 00:00, Friday 19 December 2025
All times are local unless specified
