Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Wednesday 20 May 2026 until 06:00, Thursday 21 May 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Southwest to west winds will reach force 6 for a time this morning (Wednesday) on Irish coasts from Belfast Lough to Hook Head to Slyne Head.
2. Southerly winds will increase to force 6 or higher at times later on Irish coasts from Belfast Lough to Roches Point to Rossan Point.
Gale Warning
nil
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Low pressure of 992hPa centred approximately 260 nautical miles north-west of Malin Head directs a moderate to strong mainly southwesterly airflow over Ireland.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : No
Forecast for Belfast Lough to Roches Point to Erris Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southwest to west force 4 to 6. Imminent decreasing southwest force 4 or 5, but continuing to reach force 6 at times on the Irish Sea. Soon backing southerly. Later increasing force 5 or 6.
Weather: Fair to cloudy with scattered showers imminent becoming isolated. Becoming cloudy from the south-west soon with rain, drizzle, mist and fog following.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Erris Head to Malin Head to Belfast Lough
Wind: Westerly force 4 or 5. Imminent decreasing west to southwest force 3 to 5. Soon decreasing southwest or variable force 2 to 4. Later backing southerly and increasing force 4 to 6.
Weather: Fair to cloudy with scattered showers imminent becoming isolated. Becoming cloudy from the south-west later with rain, drizzle, mist and fog following.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog. Otherwise good.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Friday 22 May 2026
Mostly moderate to strong southerly winds, occasionally touching near gale for a time in the east on Thursday morning. Winds decreasing mainly moderate to fresh later. Weather: Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain, drizzle and patches of mist and fog. Some clearer breaks developing for a time in parts of the south and east later.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Wednesday 20 May 2026
All times are local unless specified
