Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Saturday 2 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 05:05 (UTC+1) on Sat 2 May 2026 for the period 07:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 2 May 2026 to 07:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 3 May 2026 .

The general synopsis at midnight

New low expected southern eastern 1009 by midnight tonight

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northerly or northeasterly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Rain until later. Good, occasionally poor

Forties

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northeast 3 to 5 later. Slight or moderate. Rain, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Cromarty, Forth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northeast 3 to 5 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Tyne

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Dogger

Variable becoming northeast later, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later. Rain or showers, fog patches later. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later

Fisher, German Bight

South becoming variable later, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later in Fisher. Showers, fog patches later. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later

Humber, Thames

Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 later. Smooth or slight. Showers, thundery later. Good, occasionally poor

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming southwest 3 to 5 later in Dover and Wight. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in west Plymouth. Showers, perhaps thundery, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Biscay

Cyclonic 3 to 5, decreasing 2 for a time. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Trafalgar (issued 2315 UTC)

Variable, mainly west, 2 to 4. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

FitzRoy, Sole

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northwest 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally slight in far east. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, but slight or moderate in Fastnet. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Irish Sea

South or southwest 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight. Showers, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Shannon, Rockall

Cyclonic becoming north or northeast, 4 to 6. Moderate, occasionally rough later. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Malin, Hebrides

North or northeast 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in west. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming west 4 to 6 later. Moderate, occasionally rough. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

Northeast 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Moderate, occasionally slight in east, and rough at first in west. Rain. Moderate or good

Faeroes

North or northeast backing west or southwest later, 4 to 6. Moderate or rough. Rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Southeast Iceland

Variable 2 to 4, becoming westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6. Moderate or rough. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate