Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 11:00, Saturday 24 October 2026 until 12:00, Sunday 25 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
See gale warning.
Gale Warning
1. South to southwest winds will reach gale force 8 to strong gale force 9 from today on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea, veering westerly this afternoon and reaching storm force 10 this evening, tonight and tomorrow morning from Erris Head to Bloody Foreland to Belfast Lough.
2. Westerly winds will reach violent storm force 11 at times tonight on Irish coastal waters from Rossan Point to Bloody Foreland to Fair Head.
Atlantic Swell
On west and southwest coasts Sunday morning
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
A depression of 955hPa (Storm Boelo) just to the northwest of the country generates a near-gale to gale force south to southwest airflow over Ireland. It will track eastwards to the north of Ireland today and early tonight. Its associated fronts will move eastwards across the country this morning.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Loop Head to Rossan Point to Fair Head
Wind: West to southwest gale force 8 or strong gale force 9 imminent, reaching storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 north of Erris Head. Later veering northwest. Reducing force 7 to strong gale force 9 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times, clearing to showers imminent. Some heavy showers with the chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Fair Head to Strangford Lough to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: South to southwest force 7 or near gale force 8, becoming westerly imminent. Soon increasing gale force 8 or strong gale force 9. Later increasing storm force 10 north of Belfast Lough and on the North Irish Sea. Reducing force 7 to strong gale force 9 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms possible. Soon clearing eastwards followed by showers, some heavy, chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Howth Head to Roches Point to Loop Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: West to southwest force 7 or gale force 8 imminent, possibly reaching strong gale force 9 at times. Reducing westerly force 6 to gale force 8 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms possible. Soon clearing eastwards followed by showers, some heavy, chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Monday 26 October 2026
West to northwest strong to strong gale force winds, gradually decreasing moderate to strong south to southwest by Sunday night. Becoming southerly strong to near gale force on Monday morning. Showers, some heavy, gradually dying out later on Sunday. Rain on Sunday night and Monday, heavy at times.
Forecast issued at: 11:00, Saturday 24 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
