Inshore waters forecast and strong winds

General situation

An area of high pressure will be dominant across the United Kingdom over the next couple of days, maintaining settled conditions with only light or moderate breezes in most areas. However, fronts will edge into the far northwest with fresh or strong winds across Shetland and northwest Scotland, and strengthening further from Saturday night as an area of low pressure moves northeast near Iceland.

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney

24 hour forecast: Southwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4, then mainly southerly or southeasterly later. To the west and north of Orkney, rough, becoming very rough at times, otherwise smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in north. Fair, then rain at times in north. Good, occasionally moderate in north.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southerly or southeasterly 2 to 4, veering southwesterly then westerly, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in north. To the west and north of Orkney, rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high later, but elsewhere slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in Moray Firth. Occasional rain or showers, mainly in north. Moderate or good, occasionally poor in north.

Rattray Head to Berwick upon Tweed

24 hour forecast: Southwest 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 for a time. Smooth or slight. Mainly fair. Moderate or good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwest veering west later, 4 to 6. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate in north. Occasional rain later. Good, occasionally moderate later.

Berwick upon Tweed to Whitby

24 hour forecast: South or southeast, becoming variable for a time, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Mainly fair. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southeast, veering south or southwest, then southwest later, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight. Fair. Good.

Whitby to Gibraltar Point

24 hour forecast: South or southeast, becoming variable for a time near Whitby, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southeast 2 to 4, becoming variable 3 or 4 later. Smooth or slight. Mainly fair. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Gibraltar Point to North Foreland

24 hour forecast: Easterly or northeasterly 3 or 4, occasionally 2 in north. Slight, occasionally smooth in north. Fog patches at first in north. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first in north.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Easterly or northeasterly 2 to 4 becoming variable 3 or less. Smooth or slight. Fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

North Foreland to Selsey Bill

24 hour forecast: Easterly or northeasterly 3 to 5. Slight. Fair. Moderate or good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Easterly or northeasterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight. Mainly fair. Moderate or good.

Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis

24 hour forecast: Northeast 2 to 4, becoming variable 3 or less later. Smooth or slight. Fair. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 3 or less, becoming northeast 2 to 4 for a time. Smooth or slight. Fair. Good.

Lyme Regis to Lands End including the Isles of Scilly

24 hour forecast: East or northeast 2 to 4, becoming variable 3 or less later. Smooth or slight in east, slight or moderate in west. Fair. Good, occasionally moderate.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 3 or less, becoming north 3 or 4 later. Smooth or slight in east, slight or moderate in west. Fair. Good.

Lands End to St Davids Head including the Bristol Channel

24 hour forecast: Variable 2 to 4. Slight, occasionally smooth in east and moderate near Lands End. Fair. Moderate or good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 2 to 4, becoming west or northwest 3 or 4 for a time. Mainly moderate near land's end, otherwise smooth or slight. Fair. Moderate or good.

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

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less, occasionally 4 later in north. Smooth, occasionally slight in south. Fair. Moderate or good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 3 or less, occasionally 4 at first in north, becoming northerly or northeasterly 3 or 4 later. Smooth, occasionally slight. Mainly fair. Moderate or good.

Great Orme Head to the Mull of Galloway

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less. Smooth. Fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 3 or less, becoming south or southwest, then veering northwest later, 2 to 4. Smooth, occasionally slight. Fog patches at first, occasional rain later. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first.

Isle of Man

24 hour forecast: South 2 or 3. Smooth. Mainly fair. Moderate or good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South 2 or 3, veering west 3 or 4 then northwest 4 or 5 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later. Mainly fair, occasional rain later. Moderate or good.

Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough

24 hour forecast: Variable 2 to 4, becoming southwest 3 or 4 later. In far north, slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough, but elsewhere, smooth or slight. Mainly fair. Good, occasionally poor in east.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwest 3 or 4, veering north or northwest 3 to 5. Moderate or rough in far north, but elsewhere smooth or slight. Fair then occasional rain or drizzle. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

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

24 hour forecast: Variable 3 or less, becoming southerly or southeasterly 3 or 4 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate near the Mull of Kintyre. Fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southerly or southeasterly veering southwesterly, then northwesterly later, 3 or 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in North Channel. Fair then occasional rain or drizzle for a time. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwesterly 3 or 4 at first in north, otherwise variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6 later. In west moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough, otherwise slight or moderate. Fair then occasional rain or drizzle. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Southwesterly, veering westerly or northwesterly, 4 to 6. Slight or moderate in east, rough or very rough in west. Rain or drizzle at times, then showers. Good, occasionally poor.

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: West or southwest, 4 or 5, increasing 6 or 7 later. Mainly smooth or slight near skye, otherwise slight or moderate, occasionally rough near entrances. Occasional drizzle or showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southwest 6 or 7, veering west or northwest 5 or 6. Slight or moderate, but rough or very rough at times near northern and southern entrance. Occasional rain or drizzle then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: West or northwest, backing southwest, 4 or 5, increasing 6 to gale 8 later. Rough or very rough. Occasional drizzle or showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southwest 6 to gale 8, veering west or northwest 5 or 6. Moderate or rough between barra and canna, otherwise rough or very rough, occasionally high in north. Occasional rain or drizzle then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Shetland Isles - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: West or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first, backing south or southwest 6 to gale 8 later. Slight or moderate in shelter to the east of Shetland, otherwise moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough. Occasional rain or drizzle, showers later. Good, occasionally moderate.

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

Valid Saturday 21 Mar 2026 at 0000 UTC until Saturday 21 Mar 2026 at 1200 UTC

General situation: Low to the far north clearing north early Saturday. Deepening Atlantic low tracking northeast to pass to the south of Iceland later Saturday.

Forecast: Westerly or southwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first in north Rough or very rough, but slight or moderate in lee shelter of shetland Rain or showers Good occasionally moderate

Outlook for 12 Hours from 1200 UTC on Saturday 21 Mar until 0000 UTC on Sunday 22 Mar: West or southwest 3 to 5, backing south or southwest 5 to 7 later Rough or very rough, but slight or moderate in lee shelter of shetland Rain or showers Good occasionally moderate

Channel Islands

24 hour forecast: East to northeast 3 to 4, perhaps locally 5 at times. Smooth or slight. Risk of mist or fog patches south of jersey until noon, returning near french coast later. Moderate to good, perhaps locally poor or very poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: North to northeast 3 to 4. Smooth or slight, with a low swell. Risk of mist or fog patches near french coast at first. Moderate to good, perhaps locally poor or very poor.