Sea Area Forecast
Forecast valid from: 06:00, Thursday 19 February 2026 until 06:00, Friday 20 February 2026
Small Craft Warning
1. Northwest to west winds will reach force 6 or higher at times today (Thursday) on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Slyne Head to Fair Head.
2. Southwesterly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times tonight (Thursday night) and tomorrow (Friday) on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish sea.
Gale Warning
Northwesterly winds will reach gale force 8 at times this morning (Thursday morning) on Irish coastal waters from Roches Point to Valentia to Slyne Head.
Atlantic Swell
On Atlantic coasts.
Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC
Ireland lies in a light to moderate cyclonic variable airflow, situated in between a complex area of low pressure. A centre low of 993hPa is located to the north-west of of the country, with a second centre low of 988hPa located to the southeast.
Gale Warning: In effect
Small Craft Warning: In effect
Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes
Forecast for Roches Point to Valentia to Loop Head
Wind: Northwest force 5 to gale force 8. Easing force 5 or 6, and occasionally force 7 imminent. Soon backing westerly force 4 or 5. Increasing southwesterly force 5 to 7 later.
Weather: Cloudy to fair with outbreaks of rain. Scattered showers later. Mist and fog patches.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in any precipitation, mist and fog.
Forecast for Loop Head to Bloody Foreland to Fair Head
Wind: Southerly force 4 to 6, veering west to south-west force 5 to 7 imminent. Soon becoming westerly force 4 to 6. Later becoming southwesterly force 4 to 6. Increasing force 5 to 7 by the end of the period.
Weather: Mostly cloudy to fair with outbreaks of rain. Scattered showers soon. Mist and fog patches.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in any precipitation, mist and fog.
Forecast for Fair Head to Wicklow Head to Roches Point and for the Irish Sea
Wind: East to northeast force 3 to 5, becoming northerly or cyclonic variable force 2 to 4 imminent. Soon increasing northwesterly force 4 to 6. Later becoming west to south-west force 5 to 7.
Weather: Mostly cloudy to fair with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Mist and fog patches.
Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in any precipitation, mist and fog.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 00:00, Saturday 21 February 2026
Strong to near gale force southwesterly winds will gradually ease moderate to fresh on Saturday. Rain and drizzle followed by scattered showers.
Forecast issued at: 06:00, Thursday 19 February 2026
All times are local unless specified
