Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Thursday 15 October 2026 until 06:00, Friday 16 October 2026
Small Craft Warning
1) South to southwest winds will reach force 6 or higher for a time this morning on Irish coasts from Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point to Mizen Head, becoming confined to Irish coasts from Wicklow Head to Carnsore Point to Dungarvan for the early afternoon and easing.
2) Southwest to west winds will occasionally reach force 6 on Thursday morning, afternoon and evening on Irish coasts from Slyne Head to Erris Head to Malin Head.
3) Westerly winds will occasionally reach force 6 on Irish coasts from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head on Thursday night.
Gale Warning
South to southwest winds will occasionally reach gale force 8 for a time this morning on the North Irish Sea.
Atlantic Swell
On southwestern, western and northern coasts on Thursday and for a time Thursday night.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Ireland lies in a mostly moderate to near gale force southerly airflow generated by a mature storm depression of 945hPa centred to the east of Iceland. Its associated cold front continues to slowly track southeastwards across Ireland this morning, clearing southeastwards this afternoon.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point to Mizen Head and for the Irish Sea
Wind: South to southwest force 6 or 7 and gusty, occasionally reaching gale force 8 on the North Irish Sea. Veering west to northwest imminent and soon and decreasing mostly force 4. Later westerly force 4 or 5.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, heavy at times. Occasional mist. Rain and mist clearing southeastwards imminent and soon, with fair weather and isolated showers following.
Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Mizen Head to Loop Head to Slyne Head
Wind: West to northwest force 4 or 5. Soon westerly. Later increasing force 4 to 6 and occasionally gusty.
Weather: Rain, heavy at times and occasional mist, clearing southeastwards imminent, with fair weather following. Later scattered showers, some heavy.
Visibility: Moderate to poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.
Forecast for Slyne Head to Bloody Foreland to Belfast Lough
Wind: Increasing southwest to west force 4 to 6 and occasionally gusty imminent.
Weather: Cloudy to fair imminent with isolated showers. Soon and later scattered showers, some heavy, with the chance of isolated thunder.
Visibility: Mostly good. Decreasing moderate to poor in showers.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Saturday 17 October 2026
Wind: Moderate to fresh west to northwest winds, increasing strong and gusty at times in the west and north on Friday morning and increasing strong at times in the east later Friday. Winds easing mainly moderate northerly on Friday night, and further easing light to moderate variable in the west and northwest. Weather: Cloudy to fair with scattered showers, some heavy and with a chance of thunder early on Friday in the north. Becoming mostly fair later.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Thursday 15 October 2026
All times are local unless specified
