Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Thursday 7 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 10:30 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 for the period 12:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 to 12:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026.

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

The general synopsis at 0600

Low Bailey 995 expected Faeroes 999 by 0600 tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking

South 5 to 7, occasionally 4 at first, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate, becoming rough at times. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

North Utsire, South Utsire, East Forties

Variable 2, becoming southerly 3 to 5, backing southeasterly 4 to 6 later, occasionally 7 later in North Utsire. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in North Utsire. Showers later. Good

West Forties, Cromarty, Forth

Southerly or southeasterly 4 to 6, veering southwesterly 3 to 5 later. Moderate occasionally slight. Showers. Good

Tyne, Dogger

Southeast 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good

Fisher, German Bight, Humber

Variable 2 to 4 becoming south or southeast 3 to 5. Slight, occasionally moderate in west Fisher. Fair. Good

Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland

Variable mainly east, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Plymouth, North Biscay

Variable 2 to 4, becoming easterly 3 to 5 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later in north Biscay. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

South Biscay

Easterly 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 later. Slight or moderate. Showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally moderate

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Northwesterly 3 to 5 becoming variable 2 to 4, then becoming cyclonic 4 or 5 later in west. Moderate becoming slight. Showers, then rain later in west. Good, occasionally moderate.

FitzRoy

Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Sole

Variable 3 or less, becoming east 3 to 5 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in west. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in west Fastnet. Showers. Good

Irish Sea

South or southwest 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good

Shannon

Cyclonic 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later. Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough. Rain. Good, occasionally poor

South Rockall

Westerly veering northerly, 4 to 6. Rough, occasionally very rough in north and moderate at first in south. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

North Rockall

Cyclonic becoming northwesterly, 6 to gale 8, veering northerly 5 later. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in northwest. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Malin, Hebrides

Cyclonic 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later in Hebrides, then becoming northwest 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough in west Hebrides. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic gale 8 to storm 10, becoming northwest 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally 6 later. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first. Rain then wintry showers. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

South or southwest 5 to 7. Moderate or rough. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, increasing severe gale 9 at times, but occasionally 5 in Faeroes. Rough or very rough, occasionally high later in eastern Southeast Iceland. Rain or wintry showers. Good, occasionally poor