Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 00:00, Friday 23 October 2026 until 00:00, Saturday 24 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
Cyclonic variable winds, becoming northwesterly will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday).
Gale Warning
Northwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 or strong gale force 9 on Irish coastal waters from Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point to Loop Head and on the Irish Sea tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday), occasionally reaching storm force 10 tonight on coastal waters from Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Valentia.
Atlantic Swell
Developing on western and southwestern coasts Friday evening.
Meteorological Situation at 21:00 UTC
A strengthening cyclonic variable airflow covers Ireland generated by Storm Austen, a depression of 974hPa centred approximately 120 nautical miles south of Roche's Point, as it tracks eastwards with strong to strong gale force north to northwest winds developing. Associated frontal troughs lie over the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Howth Head to Hook Head to Loop Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Northwesterly gale force 8 or strong gale force 9 imminent, reaching storm force 10 at times between Dungarvan and Valentia. Soon decreasing force 6 to gale force 8, strongest to the east. Later decreasing westerly force 5 or 6.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms possible, clearing eastwards followed by showers, some heavy, chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Loop Head to Malin Head to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: Increasing mostly northerly force 5 to 7 imminent, occasionally gale force 8. Soon increasing northwesterly force 6 to gale force 8, strongest in the northeast and east. Later decreasing westerly force 4 to 6.
Weather: Rain, 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 00:00, Sunday 25 October 2026
Mostly fresh to strong westerly winds at first backing southwesterly Friday night and increasing fresh to near gale force. South to southwest winds will increase gale force to strong gale force Saturday morning, veering westerly later and increasing storm force at times in the north and northwest. Weather: Rain extending eastwards Friday night, heavy at times, followed by blustery showers later Saturday with chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Forecast issued at: 00:00, Friday 23 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
