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 23:15 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 for the period 00:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026 to 00:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 9 May 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Rockall, Hebrides, Bailey, Faeroes, and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low Bailey 997 expected Norwegian Sea 1000 by 1800 Friday. Low 300 miles west of FitzRoy 1002 expected 150 miles west of Trafalgar 997 by same time. New low expected FitzRoy 1006 by that time. High Norway 1020 expected Baltic sea 1028 by 1800 Friday

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Southerly 5 to 7, veering southwesterly 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight at first in North Utsire. Rain or showers. Good occasionally poor

South Utsire

Southerly 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good

Forties, Cromarty, Forth

South 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good occasionally moderate

Tyne, Dogger

South 2 to 4, occasionally 5 at first. Slight, occasionally moderate at first. Showers. Good occasionally moderate

Fisher, German Bight, Humber

East or southeast 2 to 4. Slight, occasionally moderate at first in far northwest Fisher. Fair. Good

Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming east or northeast 4 or 5. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate later in Plymouth. Showers. Good

Biscay

East, becoming cyclonic, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good occasionally moderate

Trafalgar, FitzRoy

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

Sole

Variable 3 or less, becoming northeast 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Slight at first in east, otherwise moderate or rough. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor later

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

Variable 3 or less, becoming northeast 4 to 6 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate. Showers. Good

Shannon

Northeast 2 to 4, increasing 6 or 7. Moderate at first in southeast, otherwise rough. Rain or showers. Good occasionally moderate

South Rockall

Northerly 4 to 6. Rough, occasionally very rough at first. Showers. Good

North Rockall, Malin

Westerly or northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in north Rockall. Rough occasionally very rough. Showers. Good

Hebrides

Southwest 5 to 7, veering northwest 6 to gale 8, then decreasing 4 or 5 later. Rough or very rough. Showers. Good

Bailey

North 7 to severe gale 9, backing northwest 4 to 6. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first. Rain then wintry showers. Good occasionally moderate

Fair Isle

South, veering west, 5 to 7. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far northwest. Squally showers. Good occasionally moderate

Faeroes

Cyclonic, becoming northwest, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first. Rough or very rough, occasionally high in west. Sleet then squally wintry showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Northerly 7 to severe gale 9, backing northwesterly 6 to gale 8. Rough or very rough, occasionally high. Snow showers. Good occasionally poor