Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 18:00, Friday 30 January 2026 until 18:00, Saturday 31 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
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.
Gale Warning
Nil
Atlantic Swell
On western and southwestern coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 15:00 UTC
A broad depression of 975hPa to the west of Ireland generates a fresh to near gale force cyclonic airflow over the country. Occluded fronts track northeastwards across the country.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Hook Head to Mizen Head to Loop Head
Wind: West to southwest or cyclonic force 3 to 5, becoming west to northwest force 2 to 4 imminent. Soon increasing northwesterly force 4 or 5, and occasionally force 6. Later becoming westerly force 4 or 5.
Weather: Cloudy with scattered showers, heavy at times. Patches of mist and fog too.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Forecast for Loop Head to Erris Head to Malin Head
Wind: South to southeast force 4 to 6, occasionally force 7. Decreasing east to southeast force 4 or 5 imminent. Later becoming east to northeast force 2 to 4.
Weather: Cloudy with scattered showers, heavy at times. Patches of mist and fog too.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Forecast for Malin Head to Belfast Lough to Howth Head and for the North Irish Sea
Wind: Easterly force 5 or 6, occasionally force 7. Northeast or cyclonic force 5 to 7. Later decreasing easterly or cyclonic force 3 or 4, and occasionally force 5.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, heavy and persistent at times. Patches of mist and fog too.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Forecast for Howth Head to Wicklow Head to Hook Head and for the South Irish Sea
Wind: Easterly or cyclonic variable force 4 to 6, and occasionally force 7. Soon becoming southwesterly force 4 to 6. Later decreasing west force 3 or 4, and occasionally force 5.
Weather: Cloudy with rain, heavy and persistent at times. Patches of mist and fog too.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation, mist and fog.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 18:00, Sunday 01 February 2026
Moderate to fresh west to northwest winds, will gradually ease light to moderate cyclonic variable. Easterly winds will strengthen fresh to strong and gusty from the southwest on Sunday night. Weather: Cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
Forecast issued at: 18:00, Friday 30 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
