Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Friday 23 October 2026 until 06:00, Saturday 24 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Cyclonic variable winds, becoming northwesterly will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts today (Friday).
2. South to southwest winds will reach force 6 or higher tonight (Friday) and tomorrow morning (Saturday) on Irish coasts from Hook Head to Loop Head to Malin Head.
Gale Warning
1. 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 today (Friday).
2. Southwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 tomorrow morning (Saturday) on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Valentia to Loop Head.
Atlantic Swell
Developing on western and southwestern coasts Friday evening.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
A mostly strong to strong gale force northwesterly or cyclonic variable airflow covers Ireland generated by Storm Austen, a depression of 976hPa centred south of England. Associated frontal troughs are clearing as the storm continues to track eastwards.
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, decreasing force 6 to gale force 8 imminent. Soon decreasing northwest to west force 5 to 7. Later decreasing westerly force 5 or 6 before increasing southwesterly force 5 to 7 by the end of the period, reaching gale force 8 in the southwest.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms possible, clearing eastwards followed by showers, some heavy, chance of isolated thunderstorms. Rain later.
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 northwesterly force 6 to gale force 8, strongest in the northeast and east. Soon decreasing mainly force 5 to 7, continuing reaching gale force 8 on the north Irish Sea. Later decreasing westerly force 4 to 6 before increasing southwesterly force 5 to 7 by the end of the period.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms possible, clearing eastwards followed by showers, some heavy, chance of isolated thunderstorms. Rain later.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Sunday 25 October 2026
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: 06:00, Friday 23 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
