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 04:05 (UTC+1) on Fri 24 Jul 2026 for the period 06:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 24 Jul 2026 to 06:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 25 Jul 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Hebrides, and Faeroes.

The general synopsis at midnight

Developing low moving steadily southeastwards, expected Faeroes 989 by midnight tonight

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking

Southwest 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later. Moderate, becoming rough later in northwest. Occasional rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

North Utsire, South Utsire

Southwesterly 3 to 5. Moderate. Occasional rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor later

Forties, Cromarty, Forth

West or southwest 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later. Slight or moderate. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally moderate

Tyne, Dogger

West or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Slight, occasionally moderate. Fair. Good

Fisher

West or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first. Moderate. Showers. Good

German Bight

West or southwest 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good

Humber

Variable 2 to 4, becoming west 3 to 5 later. Slight. Fair. Good

Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Fair. Good

Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming north 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later in west. Fair. Good

Biscay

Northeast becoming cyclonic 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally moderate

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

Northerly or northeasterly 4 to 6, but cyclonic 3 to 5 in far southeast. Moderate, occasionally slight in east. Thundery showers in south. Good, occasionally poor in south

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Northeast backing northwest 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, but smooth or slight in Lundy. Fair. Good

Irish Sea

Variable 2 to 4, becoming westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in north. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good

Shannon

Variable 2 to 4, becoming west or northwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Slight or moderate, becoming rough later in far northwest. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides

Southwest 4 to 6, veering west 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later in Hebrides. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in north Rockall and west Hebrides. Occasional rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Southwest, veering northwest later, 5 to 7. Rough, occasionally very rough later in south. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

West or southwest 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far west. Occasional rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Faeroes

Southwest 5 to 7, veering northwest 6 to gale 8 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far south. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Westerly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5, then northwesterly 5 to 7 later. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor