Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 24 July 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 16:25 (UTC+1) on Fri 24 Jul 2026 for the period 18:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 24 Jul 2026 to 18:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 25 Jul 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Hebrides, Fair Isle, and Faeroes.

The general synopsis at midday

Developing low moving steadily eastwards, expected Norwegian Basin 981 by midday tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking

Southwest veering northwest 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate becoming rough, occasionally very rough later. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

North Utsire, South Utsire

Southwesterly 3 to 5 backing southerly 5 to 7, veering northwesterly later. Moderate, becoming rough later. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Forties, Cromarty

Cyclonic 4 or 5 becoming west or southwest 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in north Forties. Occasional rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor later

Forth, Tyne, Dogger

Cyclonic 3 to 5 becoming west or southwest 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in Forth. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in northeast Dogger. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Fisher, German Bight

West or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later. Rain later. Good, occasionally moderate later

Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight

Variable 2 to 4 becoming west or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later. Fair. Good

Portland, Plymouth

North or northwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate in Plymouth. Fair. Good

Biscay

Cyclonic becoming northwest 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Northwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Moderate, occasionally slight in east. Thundery showers in north. Good, occasionally moderate.

FitzRoy, Sole

Cyclonic 4 or 5 at first in southeast FitzRoy, otherwise northerly backing northwesterly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in Sole. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming west or southwest 4 to 6 later. Smooth or slight becoming slight or moderate. Occasional rain. Moderate or good

Shannon

Northwest 3 or 4 backing west 5 or 6. Slight or moderate becoming rough. Occasional rain. Moderate or good

Rockall, Malin

Southwest veering northwest 5 to 7, occasionally 4 later. Moderate or rough, becoming very rough for a time in north Rockall. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Hebrides, Bailey

Southwest veering northwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in Hebrides, backing west 4 or 5 later. Rough, becoming very rough for a time. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

West or southwest 5 to 7, veering northwest 6 to gale 8 later. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough. Rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor

Faeroes

Southwest becoming cyclonic 5 to 7, then becoming northwest 6 to gale 8. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough. Rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Variable 2 to 4 becoming northwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in east. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far east. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor