Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 12:00, Tuesday 20 January 2026 until 12:00, Wednesday 21 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
Southeast or cyclonic variable winds will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts during the period.
Gale Warning
1. East to southeast winds will reach gale force 8 at times this afternoon and evening on Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Strangford Lough to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea.
2. East to southeast winds will reach gale force 8 for a time on Wednesday morning on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Hook Head to Roches Point.
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern coasts at times during the period.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
A depression of 984hPa centred around 50 nautical miles west of Valentia generates a mainly fresh to gale force east to southeast airflow over Ireland. Associated fronts will be steered generally northwards over the country today as the depression tracks northwards near the west coast.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Malin Head to Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: East to southeast force 7 to gale force 8, imminent decreasing southeast to south force 5 to 7 gusty south of Strangford Lough and elsewhere soon. Decreasing force 4 to 6 for a time later before gradually backing southeast to east and increasing force 6 or 7 and gusty towards the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards today, followed by showers. Further cloud, rain drizzle and mist spreading from the south towards the end of the period.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head
Wind: Southerly or cyclonic variable force 5 to 7 and gusty. Soon decreasing south to southwest force 5 or 6. Later backing southeast and increasing 5 to 7 and gusty, occasionally reaching gale force 8. Becoming mainly easterly or cyclonic variable force 4 to 6 at the end of the period.
Weather: Scattered showers. Cloud, rain, drizzle and mist spreading from the southwest later.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Erris Head to Rossan Point to Malin Head
Wind: East to southeast force 6 or 7, occasionally gale force 8. Imminent decreasing southeast force 5 to 7 and gusty. Gradually decreasing force 4 or 5, occasionally force 6 later and backing easterly by the end of the period.
Weather: Outbreaks of rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards today followed by showers. Cloud increasing from the south towards the end of the period.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Thursday 22 January 2026
Moderate to near gale easterly or cyclonic variable winds. Becoming mainly northwest or cyclonic in the south and west Wednesday night and mainly southeast or cyclonic elsewhere. Winds will decrease moderate to strong on Thursday morning. Weather; Widespread outbreaks of rain and drizzle gradually clearing to the north and northwest on Wednesday night, followed by showers, some heavy and prolonged.
Forecast issued at: 12:00, Tuesday 20 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
