Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 13:00, Friday 30 January 2026 until 12:00, Saturday 31 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Easterly or cyclonic variable winds will reach force 6 or higher today on Irish coasts from Erris Head to Strangford Lough to Dungarvan, becoming confined to Irish coasts from Bloody Foreland to Strangford Lough to Carnsore Point overnight.
2. Northwesterly winds will increase to force 6 at times overnight and Saturday morning on Irish coasts from Roches Point to Mizen Head to Valentia.
Gale Warning
1. Southeasterly winds will continue to reach gale force 8 for a time this afternoon on Irish coastal waters from Bloody Foreland to Malin Head to Fair Head.
2. Northwesterly winds will increase to gale force 8 at times this afternoon and evening on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Hook Head to Dungarvan.
Atlantic Swell
On western and southwestern coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
A broad depression of 971hPa to the west of Ireland generates a mostly fresh to near gale force cyclonic airflow over the country. Occluded fronts are tracking northeastwards.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Bloody Foreland to Strangford Lough to Dungarvan and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Southeast force 5 to 7, occasionally reaching gale force 8 at first in the north. Imminent becoming easterly force 5 to 7 but cyclonic variable west of Carnsore Point and increasing gale force 8 at times there. Soon decreasing easterly or cyclonic variable force 5 to 7. Later decreasing east to southeast or cyclonic force 4 to 6.
Weather: Fair to cloudy with scattered showers. Rain spreading from the south imminent and turning heavy at times with a chance of isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the southeast. Rain becoming patchy later.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Loop Head
Wind: Southwest to west or variable force 4 to 6. Imminent decreasing force 3 to 5. Soon veering northwest. Later increasing force 4 to 6.
Weather: Fair to cloudy with scattered showers. Rain a times today east of Roches Point.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation.
Forecast for Loop Head to Erris Head to Bloody Foreland
Wind: Southeast to south force 4 to 6. Imminent decreasing force 3 to 5. Soon becoming easterly or variable. Later decreasing northerly or variable force 2 to 4.
Weather: Fair to cloudy with scattered showers, some heavy. Occasional mist and fog.
Visibility: Moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Sunday 01 February 2026
Mainly moderate to fresh cyclonic variable winds, strong at times in the northeast and southwest at first. Mainly west to northwest winds developing later and increasing strong for a time on western and southwestern coasts. Weather: Cloudy or fair with showers. Outbreaks of rain spreading from the west later.
Forecast issued at: 13:00, Friday 30 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
