Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Tuesday 17 February 2026 until 18:00, Wednesday 18 February 2026
Small Craft Warning
Southeasterly winds will increase to force 6 or higher this evening (Tuesday), tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday) on all Irish coasts.
Gale Warning
Southeasterly winds will reach gale force 8 this evening (Tuesday), tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday) on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Malin Head to Hook Head and on the Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
Developing on southwestern and western coasts tomorrow (Wednesday).
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
A strengthening southeasterly airflow covers Ireland as a ridge of high pressure declines eastwards and as a depression of 987hPa, centred approximately 400 nautical miles west of Slyne Head slowly approaches.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Slyne Head to Carlingford Lough to Dungarvan and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Increasing southeast force 6 to gale force 8 imminent, strongest in the west and northwest. Soon increasing force 7 or gale force 8. Later decreasing mainly southeasterly force 5 to 7, but still gale force 8 in the north.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, drizzle and mist beginning to extend from the southwest.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Forecast for Dungarvan to Valentia to Slyne Head
Wind: Southeasterly mainly force 6 to gale force 8, strongest to the west. Soon decreasing southerly force 5 or 6. Later veering southwesterly force 4 to 6.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, drizzle and mist. Showers by the end of the period.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Thursday 19 February 2026
Fresh to near gale force southeasterly winds in the north and east, gradually easing mostly light to moderate southerly or variable. Light to moderate westerly or variable winds elsewhere will increase strong to gale force northwesterly through Wednesday night and Thursday morning before easing fresh to strong westerly by the end of the period. Weather: Outbreaks of rain and drizzle with areas of mist.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Tuesday 17 February 2026
All times are local unless specified
