Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Tuesday 19 May 2026 until 06:00, Wednesday 20 May 2026
Small Craft Warning
South to southwest winds will reach force 6 at times on all Irish coasts through the period.
Gale Warning
nil
Atlantic Swell
Developing on southwestern coasts later.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Ireland lies in a moderate to strong southeasterly, veering southwesterly, airflow with a depression of 987hPa centred approximately 260 nautical miles west of Erris Head extending a trough over the country.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Loop Head to Malin Head to Belfast Lough
Wind: South to southwest force 4 or 5, occasionally touching force 6. Soon decreasing southwesterly force 3 to 5. Later increasing southwest to west force 4 to 6.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with widespread showers, some heavy with the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Some mist and fog patches too. Showers becoming isolated later.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Forecast for Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point to Loop Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Imminent increasing south to southwest force 5 or 6. Soon veering southwesterly force 5 or 6, occasionally touching force 7. Decreasing force 4 to 6 by the end of the period.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with widespread showers, some heavy with the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Some mist and fog patches too. Showers becoming isolated later.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Thursday 21 May 2026
Moderate to strong southwesterly winds will ease moderate to fresh through Wednesday morning and afternoon, before increasing mostly fresh to strong on Wednesday evening and night. Weather: Cloudy to fair with isolated showers but with cloud increasing from the southwest through the period, with rain, drizzle, mist and fog following on Wednesday evening and night.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Tuesday 19 May 2026
All times are local unless specified
