Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 12:00, Wednesday 07 January 2026 until 12:00, Thursday 08 January 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. West to northwest winds will reach force 6 or higher at times this evening and early tonight on Irish coasts from Carnsore point to Valentia to Bloody Foreland. 2. Northwest to north winds will reach force 6 or higher tomorrow afternoon on Irish coasts from Wicklow Head to Hook Head to Mizen Head.
Gale Warning
Northerly winds will reach gale force 8 at times tomorrow afternoon on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Dungarvan to Mizen Head.
Meteorological Situation at 09:00 UTC
An occluding front associated with a complex depression 998hPa centred to southwest of Iceland lies over southwestern parts of Ireland and is expected to track northeastwards over the country today.
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : Nil
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Valentia to Rossan Point
Wind: Northwest force 5 to 7 and gusty imminent. Soon decreasing force 4 to 6. Later becoming westerly or variable force 2 to 4. Increasing east to northeast force 5 to 7 and gusty south of Loop Head towards the end of the period.
Weather: Patchy rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards followed by isolated showers. Rain spreading from the southwest and on Thursday morning.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Rossan Point to Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: Mainly northwest force 4 to 6, Imminent decreasing westerly force 2 to 4. Soon increasing west to northwest force 4 to 6, reaching force 7 locally west of Malin Head. Gradually decreasing westerly or variable force 2 to 4 later.
Weather: Patchy rain, drizzle and mist clearing northeastwards followed by isolated showers. Rain spreading from the southwest and on Thursday morning.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 12:00, Friday 09 January 2026
Strong to gale force northerly winds in southern sea areas with light to moderate northerly winds elsewhere at first. Northerly winds increasing moderate or fresh everywhere, strong to gale force in southwestern, southern and eastern sea areas from Thursday evening right through to the end of the period. Winds will gradually back northwest through the period. Weather: Rain clearing southeastwards followed by showers, some heavy with hail and sleet and isolated thunderstorms possible.
Forecast issued at: 12:00, Wednesday 07 January 2026
All times are local unless specified
