Inshore waters forecast and strong winds

General situation

The west to northwesterly airflow that was prevalent over the United Kingdom on Saturday will gradually back southwesterly this morning as a frontal system moves in from the Atlantic. Strong winds will spread to most areas and gales will develop in the northwest.

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwesterly, veering southerly for a time at first, 4 or 5, increasing 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in north and near Rattray Head. To the west and north of Orkney, rough or very rough, occasionally high later, but elsewhere slight or moderate. Rain or showers, becoming squally and perhaps wintry later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor later in north.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in north, backing southerly 4 to 6 for a time later. To the west and north of Orkney, very rough or high, but elsewhere, slight or moderate, occasionally rough near Orkney. Squally showers, perhaps wintry, then rain later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Rattray Head to Berwick upon Tweed - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 for a time at first, then occasionally 7 later. Smooth or slight at first in south, otherwise slight or moderate. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwest, backing south for a time later, 5 to 7. Moderate in north, slight or moderate in south. Showers, then occasional rain later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Berwick upon Tweed to Whitby - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 4 or 5, backing south 5 to 7, then veering west or southwest 5 or 6 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 to 7, backing southwest 4 or 5, then south later. Slight or moderate. Showers, then occasional rain later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Whitby to Gibraltar Point - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 3 or 4, increasing 5 or 6, then veering west later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate. Fair then occasional rain, then showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 or 6, backing southwest 4 or 5. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in south. Showers, then occasional rain later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Gibraltar Point to North Foreland - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less, becoming southerly or southerly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in south, then veering westerly later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later. Fair then occasional rain, then showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly 6 decreasing 4 or 5, backing southwesterly later. Slight or moderate, occasional smooth in the wash. Showers then fair, then rain for a time later. Good, occasionally moderate.

North Foreland to Selsey Bill - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less, becoming southwesterly 4 or 5, increasing 6 or 7 later, then backing westerly 5 or 6 later. Slight, occasionally smooth in east, becoming moderate later. Fair then occasional rain later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly 6 decreasing 4 or 5, backing southwesterly later. Moderate, occasionally slight later. Showers. Good.

Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Northwest backing west 2 to 4, then backing southwest 4 to 6, then backing west 5 or 6 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate. Rain at times for a time later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 or 6, backing southwest 4 or 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good.

Lyme Regis to Lands End including the Isles of Scilly - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: West or northwest 2 to 4, backing southwest 5 or 6, then veering west or northwest later. Slight or moderate in east, moderate or rough in west. Fair then occasional rain, then showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 or 6, backing southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later near the Isles of Scilly. Rough or very rough to the west of the Lizard and slight in lyme bay, otherwise moderate. Showers at first. Good.

Lands End to St Davids Head including the Bristol Channel - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: West 2 to 4, backing southwest 4 to 6, veering west 5 to 7 later. Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough. Fair then occasional rain, then showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 to 7, backing southwest 4 to 6. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in southwest. Showers. Good.

St Davids Head to Great Orme Head, including St Georges Channel - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 3 or 4, increasing 5 to 7, then veering west 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later. Fair then rain then showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly backing southwesterly, 5 or 6, occasionally 7 later in north. Moderate or rough. Showers then occasional rain, then becoming mainly fair later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Great Orme Head to the Mull of Galloway - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 3 or 4, increasing 5 to 7, then veering west. Slight becoming moderate, occasionally rough later. Fair then occasional rain, then squally showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 to 7 backing southwest 5 or 6, occasionally 4 later in Liverpool Bay. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight in Liverpool Bay. Showers, squally at first, then rain, becoming mainly fair later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Isle of Man - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 3 or 4, increasing 5 to 7, then veering west later. Slight, becoming moderate. Occasional rain then showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 5 to 7, backing southwest 5 or 6 later. Moderate, occasionally rough. Showers, then rain later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southwest 4 or 5, increasing 5 to 7, then veering west or southwest. In far north, moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough, occasionally high later, elsewhere slight or moderate. Rain then squally showers, perhaps becoming wintry later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West backing south or southwest, 4 to 6. In far north, very rough or high, becoming rough or very rough later, elsewhere slight or moderate. Squally showers, perhaps wintry, then rain, becoming mainly fair later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor until later.

Mull of Galloway to Mull of Kintyre including the Firth of Clyde and North Channel - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southerly or southwesterly 4 or 5, increasing 5 to 7, then veering westerly or southwesterly. Slight or moderate, becoming rough near the Mull of Kintyre. Rain then squally showers, perhaps wintry later. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly 5 to 7, backing southwesterly 4 to 6, then southerly later. Rough or very rough near the Mull of Kintyre, but elsewhere slight or moderate. Squally showers, perhaps wintry, then rain, becoming mainly fair later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor until later.

Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 3 to 5, backing south 6 to gale 8, then veering west later and decreasing 5 at times in shelter. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough, then high or very high later in west. Rain then squally showers, perhaps wintry later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first, backing south or southwest 5 to 7. Very rough or high, occasionally very high at first in far west, becoming rough or very rough later. Squally showers, perhaps wintry, then rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southwest 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8, then veering west or southwest later. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later near entrances. Rain then squally showers, perhaps wintry later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or southwest 6 to gale 8, backing south or southwest 4 to 6, then increasing 6 to gale 8 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough near entrances. Squally showers, perhaps wintry, then rain later. Good, occasionally poor.

Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southwest 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8, then veering west or southwest later. Moderate or rough becoming rough or very rough, then high or very high later to the west of the Outer Hebrides. Rain then squally showers, perhaps wintry later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or southwest 6 to gale 8, backing south or southwest 4 to 6, then increasing 6 to gale 8 later. High or very high becoming very rough or high, then rough or very rough later. Squally showers, perhaps wintry, then rain later. Moderate or poor, occasionally good.

Shetland Isles - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest 4 to 6, backing south 6 to gale 8 for a time. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough, occasionally high later in west. Showers, then rain, then squally showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

For Coastal areas up to 60 nautical miles from Lerwick, Shetland - Strong wind warning

Valid Sunday 15 Mar 2026 at 0000 UTC until Sunday 15 Mar 2026 at 1200 UTC

General situation: Atlantic trough crosses Shetland Waters Sunday morning with a strong south or southwest flow.

Forecast: Southwest 4 or 5, backing south 6 to gale 8 soon. Rough occasionally moderate in east Rain or showers Good occasionally moderate or poor

Outlook for 12 Hours from 1200 UTC on Sunday 15 Mar until 0000 UTC on Monday 16 Mar: South 6 to gale 8, veering southwest 6 or 7 soon. Rough or very rough, but moderate in lee shelter of shetland Showers, occasionally heavy Good occasionally moderate or poor

Channel Islands - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Northwest 1 to 3, backing southwest 3 to 4 by dawn, increasing 4 to 5 late morning, occasionally 6 in the north by afternoon, veering west later. Smooth to slight, increasing moderate to rather rough in the northwest later a low to moderate swell at first. Patchy rain and drizzle for a time in the afternoon and early evening. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West to northwest 4 to 5, occasionally 6 in the north, backing west to southwest by early afternoon, locally 2 to 3 in the southeast for a time. Moderate in the southeast to rather rough to rough in the north and west. Isolated showers developing towards dawn Monday. Mostly good.