Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Thursday 23 April 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 17:25 (UTC+1) on Thu 23 Apr 2026 for the period 19:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 23 Apr 2026 to 19:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 24 Apr 2026 .

There are warnings of gales in South Utsire and Fisher.

The general synopsis at midday

High Forth 1034 expected Humber 1028 by midday tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first in southern North Utsire. Moderate, but slight or moderate in west Viking. Fair. Good

South Utsire

Northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in east. Moderate or rough. Fair. Good

East Forties

Northwesterly 4 or 5. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

West Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, West Dogger

Variable 3 or less, increasing 4 at times. Smooth or slight in Cromarty, Forth and Tyne, but elsewhere slight throughout. Fog patches. Good, occasionally very poor

East Dogger

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Fisher, German Bight

Northwesterly 4 to 6, but 6 to gale 8 in east Fisher. Moderate or rough. Fair. Good

Humber, Thames

North or northeast 3 or 4, occasionally 5 at first in Thames and 2 in Humber. Slight or moderate in Humber, otherwise slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

East or northeast 4 to 6, occasionally 7 until later except in Dover. Moderate or rough until later in Plymouth, otherwise slight or moderate. Fair. Moderate or good

Biscay

Easterly or southeasterly 3 to 5, becoming cyclonic 2 or 3 later in north. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Trafalgar (issued 2315 UTC)

Southerly 4 to 6 at first in west, otherwise variable 2 to 4. Very rough at first in far northwest, otherwise moderate or rough. Occasional rain or showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor.

FitzRoy

Southeasterly 3 to 5, becoming cyclonic 3 or 4, then southwesterly 4 later in west. Moderate or rough, becoming moderate later. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Easterly or southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 east Sole and Lundy, becoming cyclonic 3 or 4 later in Sole. Slight or moderate in Lundy, elsewhere moderate or rough. Mainly fair then showers. Moderate or good

Irish Sea

East or northeast 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first. Fair. Good

Shannon, Rockall

East or southeast 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in Shannon. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Moderate or good

Malin, Hebrides

East or southeast 2 to 4. Slight or moderate, but smooth or slight in east. Fair, fog patches developing later in east. Good, occasionally very poor later in east

Bailey

Southeasterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 3 or less in north. Slight or moderate. Mainly fair. Good

Fair Isle, Faeroes

Northwesterly 4 to 6, but variable 3 or 4 until later in south. Smooth or slight in south Fair Isle, but elsewhere slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Southeast Iceland

Southwesterly, becoming cyclonic later, 3 to 5, increasing 6 at times. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good, occasionally poor