Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Wednesday 4 February 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 11:30 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026 for the period 12:00 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026 to 12:00 (UTC) on Thu 5 Feb 2026 .

There are warnings of gales in Viking, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Portland, Plymouth, Biscay, FitzRoy, Sole, Lundy, Irish Sea, Shannon, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at 0600

Low FitzRoy 971 expected Plymouth 970 by 0600 tomorrow.

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Southwest Viking

Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 until later. Very rough or high, becoming rough or very rough. Sleet or snow. Moderate to very poor

Northeast Viking, North Utsire

Southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first and 3 later. Rough or very rough at first in northeast Viking, otherwise moderate or rough. Fair. Good

South Utsire, Northeast Forties

Southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally 6 in northern South Utsire. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first, and moderate at times later in South Utsire. Sleet or snow. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light icing in South Utsire

Southwest Forties, Cromarty

Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 at first in Cromarty. Rough or very rough. Rain or sleet. Good, occasionally poor

Forth, Tyne

Southeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally 4 at first, perhaps gale 8 later. Rough or very rough. Rain or sleet. Good, occasionally poor

Dogger, Fisher, German Bight

Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally 9 in Fisher, but 5 at first in Dogger. Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in south and east German Bight. Rain or sleet. Good, occasionally poor, light icing in German Bight

Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight

Southeast 4 to 6, increasing 7 at times, except in Dover. Moderate or rough in Humber, and later in Thames, otherwise slight or moderate. Rain at times. Good, occasionally poor

Portland, Plymouth

Cyclonic becoming south later, 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first in west Plymouth. Showers then rain. Good, occasionally poor

Biscay, FitzRoy

Cyclonic 5 to 7, increasing gale 8 at times, perhaps severe gale 9 later in southeast FitzRoy. Rough or very rough, becoming high later in southwest FitzRoy. Rain or thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Trafalgar (issued 0015 UTC)

Westerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 in north. Very rough. Rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Sole

Cyclonic 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time in east. Rough or very rough. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Shannon

Southeast 4 to 6 backing east 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later except in Fastnet. Slight or moderate at first in Irish Sea, otherwise moderate or rough, but becoming rough or very rough later in Fastnet and Shannon. Rain or showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, South Bailey

East or southeast 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later in Malin. Moderate or rough in Malin and Hebrides, but elsewhere rough or very rough. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

North Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8. Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in south Fair Isle. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor