Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 8 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 10:30 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026 for the period 12:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026 to 12:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 9 May 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Sole, Shannon, Bailey, Faeroes, and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at 0600

Low Faeroes 998 expected Norwegian Sea 1003 by 0600 tomorrow. Low just west of Trafalgar 997 slow-moving with little change by same time

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Southerly 5 to 7, veering westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

South Utsire, Forties

Southerly or southeasterly 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Cromarty, Forth

South or southwest veering north, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Tyne, Northwest Dogger

Southeasterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4, then northeasterly 4 to 6 later. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Dogger, Fisher, German Bight

Easterly or southeasterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first in northwest Fisher. Fair. Good

Humber, Thames

East backing northeast, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Fair. Good

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

East or northeast 2 to 4, increasing 4 or 5. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate in Plymouth. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Biscay

Cyclonic 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6. Slight, becoming moderate or rough. Thundery rain or showers. Good occasionally poor.

FitzRoy

Cyclonic 4 to 6, increasing 7 for a time in far northwest. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far northwest. Thundery rain. Good, occasionally poor

Sole

East 4 to 6, backing northeast 6 to gale 8. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight at first in east and very rough later in west. Rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northeast 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later. Smooth or slight at first except in southwest Fastnet, otherwise slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in Fastnet. Showers. Good

Shannon

Northeast 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8. Mainly rough, occasionally very rough later in south. Showers. Moderate or good

Rockall, Malin

Northwest 3 to 5 at first in Malin, otherwise north or northeast 4 to 6. Rough, occasionally moderate in Malin and very rough at first in north Rockall. Showers. Good

Hebrides, Bailey

Northwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in Bailey, decreasing 3 to 5. Rough, occasionally very rough at first. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Fair Isle

Southwesterly veering northwesterly, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in north. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in far north and far west. Squally showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic becoming northwesterly, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in Southeast Iceland, decreasing 4 to 6 later. Rough or very rough occasionally high, becoming moderate or rough later. Squally wintry showers. Good, occasionally poor