Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 17 April 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Fri 17 Apr 2026 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 17 Apr 2026 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 18 Apr 2026 .

There are warnings of gales in Shannon, Rockall, Malin and Hebrides.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low 150 miles west of north Shannon 993 expected east Bailey 993 by 1800 Friday

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire

Southerly or southeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally 4 at first. Mainly moderate or rough, but slight or moderate in eastern South Utsire. Rain developing, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger

South or southeast, veering southwest later, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in Cromarty. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in north Forties and northeast Cromarty. Occasional rain, then showers later, fog patches in Forties and Dogger. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in Forties and Dogger

Fisher, German Bight

South or southeast 2 or 3 increasing 3 to 5. Slight or moderate in Fisher, smooth or slight in German Bight. Fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor

Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland

Southerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 in south Wight and south Portland. In northwest Wight and Portland, slight or moderate, occasionally rough at first in west Portland, elsewhere, smooth or slight. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Plymouth, Northwest Biscay

Southerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first in Plymouth, veering northwesterly 2 to 4 later. Moderate or rough. Occasional rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Southeast Biscay

Variable 2 to 4. Rough becoming moderate. Mainly fair. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Trafalgar

Easterly or northeasterly 4 to 6. Moderate or rough, becoming slight or moderate later. Fair. Good

Northwest Trafalgar, Southeast FitzRoy

Variable 2 to 4, becoming northerly or northeasterly 3 to 5 later. Rough, becoming moderate or rough. Mainly fair. Good

Northwest FitzRoy, Sole

Southwesterly 4 to 6 veering westerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 3 or 4 later in northwest FitzRoy. Rough or very rough, becoming moderate or rough in northwest FitzRoy. Rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor at first

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

South veering southwest, 4 to 6. Very rough at first in far west of Fastnet, otherwise moderate or rough. Rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first

Shannon

Southwest 6 to gale 8 veering west 5 or 6. Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough. Squally showers. Moderate or poor, occasionally good

Rockall

Cyclonic becoming west or northwest, 5 to 7, occasionally 4 at first, then increasing gale 8 at times. Rough or very rough. Rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Malin, Hebrides

South, veering west or southwest later, 5 to 7, increasing gale 8 at times. Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in east. Rain then showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 5 to 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate or rough. Rain or squally showers. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle, Faeroes

Southerly backing southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later in west Fair Isle. Moderate or rough. Rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic 2 to 4, increasing 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough. Rain or showers, fog patches. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor