Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Wednesday 15 April 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 17:25 (UTC+1) on Wed 15 Apr 2026 for the period 19:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 15 Apr 2026 to 19:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 16 Apr 2026 .

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Irish Sea, Shannon and Fair Isle.

The general synopsis at midday

Atlantic low 989 expected just west of Bailey 997 by midday tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties

Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later in Viking, veering southerly 4 to 6 later in Forties. In Viking rough or very rough, becoming moderate or rough later, elsewhere moderate or rough, occasionally very rough except in Forties. Rain, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Cromarty, Forth, Tyne

Southeast veering southwest, 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in northeast Cromarty. Showers, thundery at first. Good, occasionally poor

Dogger, Fisher, German Bight

Southeast 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in Fisher, veering southwest 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in southeast German Bight and rough in northwest Fisher. Rain, fog patches. Good, occasionally very poor

Humber

South or southwest 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, becoming smooth or slight later. Showers, thundery at first. Good, occasionally poor

Thames, Dover

South or southwest 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Southwest 4 to 6, decreasing 2 to 4 except in Plymouth. In Wight slight or moderate, occasionally rough in west, in Portland moderate or rough, in Plymouth rough or very rough. Rain. Good, occasionally poor

Biscay, Southeast FitzRoy

Southwesterly 3 to 5 in northwest, otherwise variable 2 to 4. Rough or very rough, but moderate at first in southeast Biscay. Rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Trafalgar (issued 2315 UTC)

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northerly 4 or 5 later in southeast. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later in northwest. Mainly fair. Moderate or good.

Northwest FitzRoy, Sole

Southerly or southwesterly 5 to 7. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Lundy, Fastnet

Southwest 5 to 7, backing south 4 or 5, occasionally 3 in Lundy and 6 in Fastnet. Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in east Lundy and high at first in west Fastnet. Rain. Good, occasionally poor

Irish Sea

Southwest 5 to 7 backing south 4 to 6. Moderate or rough occasionally slight. Thundery showers then rain. Good, occasionally poor

Shannon

Southwest 6 to gale 8, backing south 5 to 7. Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough. Thundery showers then rain. Good, occasionally poor

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides

Cyclonic, mainly south, 4 to 6. Rough or very rough in Rockall, elsewhere moderate or rough, occasionally very rough. Thundery showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later. Rough. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle, Faeroes

Cyclonic, mainly southeast, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in Fair Isle, becoming south or southwest 4 to 6. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first. Rain, fog patches, squally showers later. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first

Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming variable 4 or less. Rough, occasionally very rough at first in north and moderate later in west. Rain, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor