Inshore waters forecast and strong winds

General situation

A variable flow across the United Kingdom will gradually be replaced by a strengthening and mainly westerly flow as an area of low pressure moves east towards Scotland. Some outbreaks of rain or showers are expected across all areas, especially for northern waters.

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Easterly or southeasterly, becoming cyclonic later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in north and 2 later in south. Smooth or slight at first in south, otherwise slight or moderate. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Cyclonic becoming easterly or northeasterly, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Rattray Head to Berwick upon Tweed - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Easterly or southeasterly becoming cyclonic, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in south and 2 later in north. Slight, occasionally smooth at first and moderate later. Showers, rain for a time. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 2 to 4 at first in north, otherwise westerly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first in south, becoming cyclonic later. Slight, occasionally moderate in north and smooth in south. Occasional rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Berwick upon Tweed to Whitby

24 hour forecast: South or southeast 2 to 4, veering west or southwest 4 or 5. Smooth becoming slight. Rain for a time, showers later. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 4 to 6, decreasing 3 or 4, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Whitby to Gibraltar Point

24 hour forecast: Southeast 2 or 3, veering southwest, then west later, 4 or 5, occasionally 3 later. Smooth becoming slight. Occasional rain, then showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or southwest 4 or 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight. Rain for a time at first, showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Gibraltar Point to North Foreland

24 hour forecast: Southeasterly 2 to 4, veering westerly or southwesterly, the northwesterly later, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later in far east. Rain at first. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or northwesterly, becoming cyclonic later, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in far east. Fair then rain, showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

North Foreland to Selsey Bill - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Cyclonic becoming westerly or southwesterly, 3 to 5, increasing 6 at times later. Smooth or slight at first in east, otherwise slight or moderate. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Fair then occasional rain, showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Westerly or southwesterly, veering northwesterly for a time at first, 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later in east. Slight occasionally moderate. Mainly fair then showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or southwesterly, veering northwesterly for a time at first, 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Rain for a time at first, showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

Lyme Regis to Lands End including the Isles of Scilly

24 hour forecast: West or northwest 3 to 5. Smooth or slight in lyme bay, but elsewhere slight or moderate. Rain for a time. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or northwest 3 to 5. Mainly smooth or slight in east, otherwise slight or moderate. Rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

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

24 hour forecast: West or northwest 3 to 5, increasing 6 at times in inner Bristol Channel. Slight or moderate. Fair then rain, showers later. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or northwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in inner Bristol Channel and later elsewhere. Moderate, occasionally slight in east. Rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

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

24 hour forecast: Southwesterly, veering westerly or northwesterly for a time, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 north of Anglesey. Smooth or slight becoming slight or moderate. Fair then rain, showers later. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or southwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 3 at first. Slight, occasionally moderate near St Davids Head and then later elsewhere. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

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

24 hour forecast: Southwesterly 3 to 5, veering westerly 4 to 6. Smooth or slight becoming slight or moderate. Rain at times then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or southwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 3 in north and 6 in south. Slight, occasionally moderate later. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Isle of Man - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwest veering west, 4 or 5, occasionally 6 for a time. Slight occasionally moderate. Occasional rain, becoming mainly fair. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West backing southwest, 3 to 5. Slight occasionally moderate. Occasional rain or showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southeast 3 to 5, veering west or southwest 4 to 6, decreasing 3 or 4 later. Slight, occasionally smooth at first, becoming moderate in far north. Occasional rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or southwest 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight, but mainly moderate in far north. Showers, perhaps thundery later. Good, occasionally poor.

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

24 hour forecast: Variable 2 to 4, becoming westerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in north. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate near the Mull of Kintyre. Occasional rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly backing southerly or southwesterly, 3 to 5. Moderate near Mull of Kintyre, smooth or slight elsewhere. Showers, perhaps thundery later. Good, occasionally poor.

Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southeast 3 to 5, veering west 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in west. Rain and fog patches, then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West or southwest 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4, then cyclonic 3 to 5 later. Moderate, occasionally slight in sheltered east and rough until later elsewhere. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor.

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Cyclonic becoming westerly or southwesterly, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in south. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate to the south and west of skye. Rain or showers, fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first and poor later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 3 or less, then northeasterly 4 to 6 later. Smooth or slight occasionally moderate. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Easterly or southeasterly veering westerly or southwesterly, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in south and at first near Cape Wrath. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later except near Sutherland. Rain or showers, fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first and poor later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwesterly 3 to 5, veering northeasterly 4 to 6 in far north and becoming variable 3 or less elsewhere, becoming northeasterly 5 or 6 later. Slight or moderate near Sutherland, otherwise moderate or rough. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Shetland Isles

24 hour forecast: East or northeast 3 or 4, occasionally 5 later. Slight or moderate. Mainly fair, rain later in south. Good, occasionally moderate later in south.

For Coastal areas up to 60 nautical miles from Lerwick, Shetland

Valid Monday 17 Aug 2026 at 1800 UTC until Tuesday 18 Aug 2026 at 0600 UTC

General situation: A ridge of high pressure over Shetland Waters on Monday declines as low pressure extends in from the northwest.

Forecast: Easterly or northeasterly 2 to 4, occasionally variable in south at first. becoming 5 in far west later. Slight or moderate. Mainly fair. Rain in south later. Manly good. Occasionally moderate in south later.

Outlook for 12 Hours from 0600 UTC on Tuesday 18 Aug until 1800 UTC on Tuesday 18 Aug: Easterly or northeasterly 4 or 5, occasionally 3 in east at first. Slight or moderate. Fair. Rain in south. Good. Occasionally moderate in south.

Channel Islands

24 hour forecast: West to northwest 4 to 5 backing west to southwest. Slight, perhaps moderate mid channel. Fair some drizzle and mist for a time on Tuesday. Good, locally moderate to poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: West 4 occasionally 5 at first, decreasing 3 to 4 for a time, locally 5 north of guernsey Wednesday afternoon. Slight, occasionally moderate north of guernsey. Rain developing overnight perhaps heavy, clearing to fair Wednesday afternoon. Good, occasionally moderate, locally poor at times.