Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 1 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 05:05 (UTC+1) on Fri 1 May 2026 for the period 07:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 1 May 2026 to 07:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 2 May 2026 .

The general synopsis at midnight

Low Sole 1014 expected Shannon 1015 by midnight tonight

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Southerly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in Viking. Slight or moderate. Rain and fog patches later. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later

South Utsire

Southerly or southeasterly 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger

South or southeast 3 to 5, veering west or southwest later, but becoming variable later in Cromarty, 2 to 4. Moderate becoming slight, occasionally smooth later in Cromarty, Forth and Tyne. Showers later. Good

Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames

South or southeast 3 to 5, veering southwest 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first. Showers later. Good

Dover, Wight

Southeast becoming variable, mainly southwest, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Fog patches and thundery showers for a time. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Portland, Plymouth

Variable backing east later, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in west Plymouth. Fog patches at first, showers. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first

Biscay

Variable, becoming east or northeast 2 to 4, then cyclonic 3 to 5 later. Moderate, occasionally slight in east. Thundery showers later. Good, occasionally poor later

Trafalgar (issued 2315 UTC)

Variable, becoming mainly southerly or southwesterly in west, 2 to 4. Moderate, occasionally slight in southeast. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor.

South FitzRoy

Variable 3 or less. Moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

North FitzRoy, Sole

Variable 3 or less in far west, otherwise southerly or southwesterly, becoming northwesterly later in west, 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally rough later in west Sole. Showers. Good

Lundy, Fastnet

Southerly or southwesterly 2 to 4. Smooth or slight in Lundy, slight or moderate in Fastnet. Showers, fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first

Irish Sea

Southeast veering south or southwest, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight. Showers, fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first

Shannon, Rockall

Cyclonic, mainly northerly in Rockall, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in west. Moderate, occasionally rough in west Shannon and southwest Rockall. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Malin, Hebrides

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming north 4 to 6 later in Hebrides. Moderate, occasionally rough in north Hebrides. Occasional rain. Moderate or good

Bailey

Southwesterly, veering northwesterly then northeasterly later, 4 to 6. Moderate or rough. Showers. Good

Fair Isle

South 4 or 5, becoming variable 2 to 4, then north 4 to 6 later. Slight or moderate. Rain later. Moderate or good

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Southwesterly veering northerly, 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in Southeast Iceland. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally moderate