Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Thursday 7 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 16:25 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 for the period 18:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 to 18:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026.

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

The general synopsis at midday

Low Bailey 996 expected just north of Faeroes 999 by midday tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking

South 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Moderate or good

North Utsire, South Utsire

Variable 3, becoming southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in North Utsire. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in North Utsire. Showers. Good

Forties, Cromarty, Forth

South 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 later. Slight or moderate. Showers. Moderate or good

Tyne, Dogger

Southeast 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Moderate or good

Fisher, German Bight, Humber

Variable 2 to 4, becoming east or southeast 3 to 5. Slight, occasionally moderate in west Fisher. Fair. Good

Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth, North Biscay

Variable 2 to 4, becoming easterly or northeasterly 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate in north Biscay and later in Plymouth. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

South Biscay

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

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Northwesterly 3 to 5 becoming variable 2 to 4, then becoming cyclonic 4 or 5 later in west. Moderate becoming slight. Showers, then rain later in west. Good, occasionally moderate.

FitzRoy

Cyclonic 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in north. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northeast 3 to 5 later, occasionally 6 later in Sole. Smooth or slight in Lundy and northeast Fastnet, otherwise slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough in west Sole. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Irish Sea

South or southwest, veering northeast later, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good

Shannon

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northeast 5 to 7 later. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

South Rockall

Northwesterly veering northeasterly, 4 to 6. Rough, occasionally very rough at first. Showers. Good

North Rockall

Northwesterly 6 to gale 8, veering northerly 4 to 6. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in northwest. Showers. Moderate or good

Malin

Southwest veering northwest, then north later, 4 to 6. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in far northwest. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Hebrides

Southwest veering northwest, 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 later. Rough, occasionally moderate in east and very rough in west. Squally showers. Good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, becoming northwest 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 later. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first. Rain then squally wintry showers. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

South veering southwest, 5 to 7. Moderate or rough. Squally showers. Moderate or good

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic, mainly northerly in Southeast Iceland, 6 to gale 8, increasing severe gale 9 at times, but occasionally 5 in Faeroes. Rough or very rough, occasionally high later. Rain or squally wintry showers. Good, occasionally poor