Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Thursday 29 January 2026 until 18:00, Friday 30 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
Southeasterly winds, becoming cyclonic variable, will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts through the period.
Gale Warning
East or southeast winds will reach gale force 8 at times this evening (Thursday) through to tomorrow afternoon (Friday) on Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Fair Head to Carlingford Lough and on the North Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
On southern and Atlantic coasts tonight and tomorrow.
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
A broad depression of 966hPa, centred approximately 280 nautical miles west of Valentia maintains a mostly strong to near gale force southeasterly airflow over Ireland. Frontal troughs are embedded in the flow.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Slyne Head to Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southeasterly force 6 or 7, reaching gale force 8 at times between Bloody Foreland and Carlingford Lough. Later decreasing easterly mainly force 5 or 6.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Carnsore Point to Roches Point to Slyne Head
Wind: Southeast veering southwest force 5 or 6, occasionally force 7. Soon increasing mainly south or southwest force 6 or 7. Later becoming southwesterly or cyclonic variable mainly force 5 to 7. Decreasing mainly westerly force 4 to 6 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Decreasing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Saturday 31 January 2026
From the northwest to southeast, easterly winds will be fresh or strong, occasionally gale force, easing light to moderate easterly or cyclonic variable through Friday night and Saturday. Elsewhere, westerly winds will be mostly moderate to strong, occasionally light and cyclonic variable. Weather: Rain or showers, most frequent in the south and east.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Thursday 29 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
