Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Saturday 18 July 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 23:15 (UTC+1) on Fri 17 Jul 2026 for the period 00:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 18 Jul 2026 to 00:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 19 Jul 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, and Fisher.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low southern Norway 1006 expected southern Sweden 1001 by 1800 Saturday. Low southern England 1015 losing its identity

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Northerly 6 to gale 8. Rough, occasionally very rough. Fair. Moderate or good

South Utsire

Northwesterly 6 to gale 8, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in east. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in west. Thundery showers later in east. Moderate or good

Forties

Northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in northeast. Moderate becoming rough, occasionally very rough in far east. Showers at first. Good

Cromarty, Forth, Tyne

Northwest 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later. Showers. Good

Dogger

Northwest 5 to 7. Moderate or rough. Showers. Good

Fisher

Northerly or northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in west. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in west. Thundery showers later in northeast. Moderate or good

German Bight

Northwest 5 to 7. Moderate or rough. Fair. Good

Humber, Thames

North or northwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later in Humber. Slight or moderate, becoming rough later in northeast Humber. Showers. Good

Dover, Wight

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northeast 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later in Dover. Fair. Good

Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northerly 3 to 5 in west Plymouth. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later in west Plymouth. Fair. Good

Biscay

Variable 2 to 4, becoming north 3 to 5 later. Slight, occasionally moderate later in northwest. Fair. Good

Trafalgar

North or northwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later near the algarve. Slight or moderate. Showers in west. Good

FitzRoy

Northerly or northeasterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in far southeast. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers in south. Good, occasionally moderate in south

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4, becoming north or northeast 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, but smooth or slight in east Lundy. Fair. Good

Irish Sea

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in far northwest. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Shannon, Rockall, Malin

North or northeast 4 to 6. Moderate, occasionally slight. Fair. Good

Hebrides, Bailey

Northwest 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 for a time. Moderate, occasionally slight. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally moderate

Fair Isle

Northerly or northwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 in east. Moderate, occasionally rough in far southeast. Showers at first. Good

Faeroes

North, backing west later, 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally slight. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally moderate

Southeast Iceland

Variable 2 to 4, becoming westerly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Moderate, occasionally slight in northwest. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally poor