Sea Area Forecast

Forecast valid from: 05:00, Thursday 12 February 2026 until 06:00, Thursday 12 February 2026

Small Craft Warning

Cyclonic variable winds will increase force 6 or higher at times on Thursday and Thursday night on all Irish coasts.

Gale Warning

nil

Atlantic Swell

On western and southwestern coasts.

Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC

A depression of 979hPa centred to the west of Ireland, generates a mostly moderate to strong cyclonic variable airflow over the country. Associated frontal troughs are embedded in the flow.

Gale Warning: In effect

Small Craft Warning: In effect

Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes

Wave Height Forecast

Forecast for Slyne Head to Malin Head to Carlingford Lough and for the Irish Sea North of the Isle of Man

Wind: Increasing mostly east to northeast force 5 to 7 imminent and soon, but cyclonic variable force 3 to 5 for time this morning and early afternoon between Slyne Head and Erris Head. Later decreasing northeasterly force 4 to 6.

Weather: Mostly cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain. Mist and isolated fog patches. Chance of isolated thunderstorms. Later becoming mostly fair with isolated showers.

Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation, mist and fog.

Forecast for Carlingford Lough to Howth Head to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea South of the Isle of Man

Wind: Cyclonic variable force 4 to 6, occasionally decreasing force 3 or less. Later increasing mostly east to northeasterly force 5 to 7 and occasionally gusty.

Weather: Mostly cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain. Mist and isolated fog patches. Chance of isolated thunderstorms later.

Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation, mist and fog.

Forecast for Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Slyne Head

Wind: Mainly westerly force 5 to 7. Soon decreasing cyclonic variable force 3 to 5 for a time between Loop Head and Slyne Head, before increasing northeasterly force 5 to 7 between Loop Head and Slyne Head. Later becoming north to northeasterly force 6 or 7 and occasionally gusty.

Weather: Cloudy to fair with showers or longer spells of rain. Mist and isolated fog patches. Chance of isolated thunderstorms. Becoming mostly fair with isolated showers towards the end of the period between Valentia and Slyne Head.

Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation, mist and fog.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Saturday 14 February 2026

Wind: Mostly fresh to near gale force and gusty north to northeasterly winds, possibly reaching gale force for a time on Friday morning and early afternoon in the south. Winds will gradually decrease moderate to fresh northerly through Friday and early Friday night. Winds will further decrease light or moderate variable through Friday night, before increasing moderate to fresh southerly in the west towards the end of the period. Weather: Mostly cloudy at first in the south and east with rain or showers. Fair or fine weather elsewhere will extend to all areas through Friday morning and early afternoon, with scattered showers in the west and north.

Forecast issued at: 05:00, Thursday 12 February 2026

All times are local unless specified