Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Tuesday 3 February 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 17:25 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026 for the period 18:00 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026 to 18:00 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026 .

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Portland, Plymouth, Biscay, Trafalgar, FitzRoy, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at midday

Low Sole 980 losing its identity. New low expected FitzRoy 976 by midday tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Southwest Viking

Southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9. Very rough, becoming high later in southwest. Snow. Moderate, occasionally very poor

Northeast Viking, North Utsire

Southeasterly 4 to 6, but 7 or gale 8 until later in south. Moderate or rough. Mainly fair. Good

South Utsire, Forties

Southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9. Rough or very rough, occasionally high in north Forties. Occasional snow. Good, occasionally very poor. Light icing in South Utsire

Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger

Southeast 5 to 7, but 6 to gale 8 in Cromarty and Dogger, decreasing 4 or 5 for a time in Tyne. Rough or very rough. Rain or sleet. Good, occasionally poor

Fisher, German Bight

East or southeast 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 until later. Rough or very rough. Snow. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light icing in German Bight

Humber, Thames

East, becoming cyclonic for a time, 4 to 6, but 7 at first in northeast Humber. Moderate or rough in Humber, slight or moderate in Thames. Rain until later. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Dover, Wight

South 3 to 5, backing east 4 to 6 later. Slight or moderate. Rain at first. Good, occasionally poor at first

Portland, Plymouth

South 4 to 6, backing east 5 to 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate or rough in Portland, rough or very rough in Plymouth. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor

Biscay, FitzRoy

South 4 to 6 at first in Biscay, otherwise cyclonic 6 to gale 8. Rough or very rough. Rain or thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Trafalgar (issued 0015 UTC)

West or southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8. Very rough or high. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Shannon

East in Irish Sea, otherwise cyclonic becoming southeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first. Moderate or rough becoming slight or moderate in Irish Sea, otherwise rough or very rough, becoming moderate or rough later except in Sole. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides

East 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later. Moderate or rough in Malin, otherwise rough or very rough. Rain or showers, wintry at first in north Hebrides. Good, occasionally poor

Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8. Rough or very rough, occasionally high later in southeast Fair Isle. Wintry showers, but sleet or snow in Fair Isle. Good occasionally poor, but moderate or good occasionally very poor in Fair Isle