Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Wednesday 6 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 16:25 (UTC+1) on Wed 6 May 2026 for the period 18:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 6 May 2026 to 18:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026.

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

The general synopsis at midday

Low 150 miles west of Bailey 1001 expected Bailey 998 by midday tomorrow. High Forties 1017 expected Norway 1019 by same time

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking

Variable 2 to 4, becoming south 4 to 6 later. Moderate, occasionally rough later in west. Showers. Good

North Utsire

Variable 2 to 4. Moderate, becoming slight later. Showers. Good

South Utsire

Northerly 3 to 5, becoming variable 3 or less. Moderate becoming slight. Fair. Good

Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, West Dogger

Variable 2 to 4, becoming south 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

East Dogger, Fisher, German Bight

Northerly or northeasterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4. Moderate becoming slight. Fair. Good

Humber, Thames

Northeast 4 to 6, becoming east or southeast 2 to 4. Moderate becoming slight. Showers. Good

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good

North Biscay

Northwesterly, becoming variable, 2 to 4. Slight, occasionally moderate at first. Showers. Good

South Biscay, Southeast FitzRoy

Northerly, veering easterly or northeasterly, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Northerly or northwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 just south of portugal, decreasing 3 at times elsewhere. Moderate, occasionally slight in southeast. Showers. Good.

Northwest FitzRoy, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4. Slight or moderate, becoming smooth in Lundy and northeast Fastnet. Showers. Good

Irish Sea

Variable 3 or less, becoming south or southeast 3 to 5. Smooth becoming slight. Showers. Good

Shannon

Westerly or southwesterly 2 to 4, occasionally 5 in north. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in far northwest. Showers. Good

Rockall

Southwest 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later in far northwest. Moderate or rough, becoming very rough later in far northwest. Rain or showers. Good occasionally poor

Malin, Southeast Hebrides

Southerly 3 to 5, veering southwesterly 5 to 7. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight at first. Occasional rain or showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Northwest Hebrides

Cyclonic 5 to 7. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Moderate occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic, becoming northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9. Moderate at first in south, otherwise rough or very rough, occasionally high. Rain then wintry showers. Poor becoming moderate, occasionally good

Fair Isle

Variable 2 to 4, becoming south 5 to 7. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight at first in southeast. Showers then rain. Good, becoming moderate or poor

Faeroes

Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later. Moderate or rough, becoming very rough in west. Occasional rain or sleet. Moderate or poor occasionally good

Southeast Iceland

Northeasterly 6 to gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later. Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in north. Snow showers. Good occasionally poor