Inshore waters forecast and strong winds

General situation

A light airflow covers the United Kingdom, with moderate winds affecting the far southeast of England at first. A strong southerly wind will develop across some Scottish waters as a deepening low approaches from the Atlantic.

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southeast 2 to 4, veering south 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later except in the Moray Firth. Smooth at first in the Moray Firth, otherwise slight or moderate, occasionally rough later near Cape Wrath. Occasional rain, showers later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor in north.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southeast 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first near Orkney, veering west or northwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 near Orkney. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in north, becoming smooth later in the Moray Firth. Showers then fair. Good, occasionally poor at first.

Rattray Head to Berwick upon Tweed - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South 3 or less, increasing 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Smooth for a time in south, otherwise slight, occasionally moderate later in north. Showers later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South 4 to 6, occasionally 3 in st andrews bay and Firth of Forth, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth later near st andrews bay and Firth of Forth. Showers at first. Good, occasionally moderate at first.

Berwick upon Tweed to Whitby

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less, becoming south 3 or 4, occasionally 5 later. Slight, occasionally moderate at first in south. Showers later in north. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southeast 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight occasionally moderate. Showers for a time. Good.

Whitby to Gibraltar Point

24 hour forecast: Northeast, becoming variable, 2 to 4, then becoming southeast 4 or 5 later. Moderate becoming slight. Showers at first in south. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southeast 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4. Slight, occasionally smooth later in south. Showers for a time. Good.

Gibraltar Point to North Foreland

24 hour forecast: Northeasterly, veering southeasterly, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 at first. Moderate for a time in north, otherwise slight occasionally smooth in south. Showers then fair. Good, occasionally moderate at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Easterly or southeasterly 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers for a time. Good.

North Foreland to Selsey Bill

24 hour forecast: Northerly or northeasterly, becoming variable, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers for a time. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable, becoming easterly or southeasterly, 2 to 4. Smooth occasionally slight. Fair then showers. Good.

Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis

24 hour forecast: Variable, becoming southeast later, 2 to 4. Smooth, occasionally slight at first. Showers then fair. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: East or southeast 2 to 4. Smooth, occasionally slight later. Fair then showers. Good.

Lyme Regis to Lands End including the Isles of Scilly

24 hour forecast: Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 2 to 4. Smooth occasionally slight. Showers. Good occasionally moderate.

Lands End to St Davids Head including the Bristol Channel

24 hour forecast: Variable 2 to 4. Smooth, occasionally slight at first. Showers. Good occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 2 to 4. Smooth, occasionally slight later near Lands End. Showers. Good occasionally moderate.

St Davids Head to Great Orme Head, including St Georges Channel

24 hour forecast: Variable, becoming southwest, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 later near Anglesey. Smooth occasionally slight. Showers for a time. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southwest, becoming variable later, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 at first near Anglesey. Smooth occasionally slight. Showers later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Great Orme Head to the Mull of Galloway

24 hour forecast: South or southeast 2 to 4, increasing 5 for a time. Smooth or slight. Showers for a time. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southwest, becoming variable, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Isle of Man

24 hour forecast: Southeast 3 or less, veering south 4, occasionally 5 later. Slight. Showers for a time. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Souts 4 or 5, becoming variable 2 to 4. Slight. Fair. Good.

Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough

24 hour forecast: South or southeast, veering southwest, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 later. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southwest, veering north or northeast later, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 at first. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate in far north. Showers then fair. Good, occasionally moderate at first.

Mull of Galloway to Mull of Kintyre including the Firth of Clyde and North Channel

24 hour forecast: Southerly or southeasterly, veering southwesterly, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 later in the North Channel. Slight occasionally smooth. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate at first in the North Channel.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southerly or southwesterly 2 to 4, occasionally 5 at first in the North Channel, becoming variable later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first near the Mull of Kintyre. Showers then fair. Good occasionally moderate.

Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South 2 to 4, veering southwest 4 to 6. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate, occasionally rough later near Tiree. Fair then occasional rain or showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwest, veering west, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first, then veering north or northwest 2 to 4 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough at first in far west. Showers then fair, occasional rain at first. Good, occasionally poor at first.

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southeast 2 to 4, veering southwest 5 or 6, increasing 7 for a time. Smooth at first in central waters, otherwise slight or moderate, occasionally rough later. Rain or showers for a time. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwest, veering northwest, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough at first, becoming smooth later in central waters. Showers, wintry later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: South or southeast 2 to 4, veering southwest 5 or 6, increasing 7 for a time. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight at first. Rain or showers for a time. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwest, veering northwest, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight later between barra and canna. Showers, wintry later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Shetland Isles - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less, becoming southeast 3 to 5, then veering south 6 or 7 later. Smooth at first in sheltered east, otherwise slight or moderate, becoming rough later. Fair then rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

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

Valid Wednesday 06 May 2026 at 1800 UTC until Thursday 07 May 2026 at 0600 UTC

General situation: Atlantic low pressure will drift east, becoming slow moving to the northwest of Scotland on Thursday. Associated warm front will move northeast across Shetland Waters on Wednesday night.

Forecast: Variable 2 or 3 becoming southeasterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in west Moderate, but slight just southeast of shetland at first Rain Good, occasionally moderate or poor

Outlook for 12 Hours from 0600 UTC on Thursday 07 May until 1800 UTC on Thursday 07 May: Southerly or southeasterly 5 to 7, but 4 at first in east Moderate becoming mainly rough Rain at times Good, occasionally moderate or poor

Channel Islands

24 hour forecast: East 2 to 3, veering southeast 3 to 4 after midnight. Smooth or slight. Isolated showers, mainly in the south risk of mist or fog patches near french coast overnight. Good, locally moderate perhaps poor or very poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southeast to east 3 to 4, becoming variable 2 to 3 by midday. Smooth or slight. Isolated showers risk of mist or fog patches near french coast overnight. Good, locally moderate perhaps poor or very poor.