Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Monday 20 April 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Mon 20 Apr 2026 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Mon 20 Apr 2026 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 21 Apr 2026 .

The general synopsis at 1800

High Southeast Iceland 1029 expected north of Southeast Iceland 1039 by 1800 Monday. New low expected Trafalgar 1000 by same time. Low Viking 1019 losing its identity

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Southwest Viking

Cyclonic 4, becoming southeasterly 4 to 6, backing northeasterly 4 later. Moderate. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Northeast Viking, North Utsire

Easterly becoming variable, 2 to 4, becoming northerly 4 later. Moderate. Fog patches. Good, occasionally very poor

South Utsire

Southeasterly 3 to 5, increasing 5 to 7, backing northerly 3 or 4 later. Slight or moderate occasionally rough. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Forties, Cromarty

Northwest becoming cyclonic, then east later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in Forties. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in west Cromarty. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Forth, Tyne

Variable 2 to 4, becoming east 3 to 5 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later. Showers. Moderate or good

Dogger

Northwest veering northeast, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain. Moderate or good

Fisher, German Bight

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northeast 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Humber, Thames

North or northwest veering northeast, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in Humber. Slight or moderate. Showers. Moderate or good

Dover

Northeast 4 or 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later. Showers. Good

Wight, Portland, Plymouth, Biscay

East or northeast 4 to 6. Smooth or slight until later in Wight, otherwise slight or moderate. Fog patches in south Biscay. Good, occasionally very poor in south Biscay

Trafalgar

Cyclonic 3 to 5, increasing 5 to 7 later. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Southwest FitzRoy

Variable 2 to 4, becoming easterly 4 to 6 later. Moderate, occasionally slight near shore and rough later in west. Thundery showers, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Northeast FitzRoy, Sole

Easterly or southeasterly 4 to 6. Moderate, becoming rough at times. Showers. Moderate or good

Lundy, Fastnet

East 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in Fastnet. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in Lundy and rough later in southwest Fastnet. Fair. Good

Irish Sea

Variable 2 to 4, becoming east 3 to 5 later. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good

Shannon, Rockall

Southeast backing east or northeast, 4 to 6. Moderate or rough. Showers. Good

Malin, Hebrides, Bailey

East or northeast 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in Hebrides and Bailey. Slight or moderate in Malin, moderate or rough elsewhere. Showers. Good

Fair Isle, Faeroes

North veering east or northeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 3 later. Moderate occasionally rough. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Northeasterly 3 to 5 in southeast, variable 2 to 4 in northwest. Moderate or rough. Fair. Good