Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Saturday 26 September 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 16:25 (UTC+1) on Sat 26 Sep 2026 for the period 18:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 26 Sep 2026 to 18:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 27 Sep 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Fair Isle, and Faeroes.

The general synopsis at midday

Low just west of FitzRoy 1015 expected Irish Sea 1000 by midday tomorrow. Atlantic low moving steadily northeast, expected Southeast Iceland 986 by same time. High Portland 1025 dissipating

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger

Southwesterly 3 to 5, backing southerly or southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate or rough in Viking and North Utsire, smooth or slight at first in Tyne, otherwise slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in South Utsire. Rain later. Good, occasionally poor later

Fisher, North German Bight

Southwesterly 3 to 4, backing southeasterly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

South German Bight, Humber, Thames, Dover

Variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly or southeasterly 4 to 6. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later. Showers later. Good, occasionally moderate later

Wight, Portland

Variable 2 to 4, becoming southeast, then veering southwest later, 4 to 6. Smooth or slight until later in Wight, otherwise slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in Portland. Rain later, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor later

Plymouth

Southeast 2 to 4, veering south 5 to 7, then northwest 3 to 5 later. Moderate, becoming rough at times. Rain for a time, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Biscay

Variable 2 to 4, becoming southwesterly 4 to 6 for a time in northwest. Moderate, occasionally rough in northwest. Showers, perhaps thundery later. Good, occasionally poor later

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Variable 2 to 4 in west, otherwise northerly, becoming cyclonic in southeast, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later. Smooth or slight at first in southeast, otherwise moderate, occasionally rough at first. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor.

South FitzRoy

Cyclonic 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first. Moderate occasionally rough. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

North FitzRoy

Cyclonic 4 to 6, increasing 6 or 7, becoming northwesterly 3 or 4 later. Moderate or rough. Rain or showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

South or southwest 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later in Irish Sea, becoming northwest 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough in Sole and Fastnet, elsewhere slight or moderate, occasionally rough in Lundy and later in Irish Sea. Occasional rain, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Shannon

Southwest 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic, then west later, 4 to 6. Rough, occasionally very rough in northwest. Occasional rain or thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes

South or southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later. Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in southeast Malin and southeast Fair Isle. Occasional rain or showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic 4 to 6, occasionally 3 in northwest and 7 in southeast. Rough or very rough in east, moderate or rough in west. Occasional rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor