Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Thursday 9 April 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Thu 9 Apr 2026 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 9 Apr 2026 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 10 Apr 2026 .

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Fisher, Trafalgar, Shannon, Rockall, Bailey and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low Trafalgar 1008 moving away slowly southwards

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire

Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 later in west Viking. Slight or moderate at first in eastern South Utsire, otherwise moderate or rough becoming rough or very rough. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Northeast Forties

Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in far northeast. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Southwest Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger

Southeasterly 4 to 6 at first in southwest Forties and Dogger, otherwise variable 2 to 4, becoming westerly 4 to 6 later. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain. Good, occasionally poor

Fisher, German Bight

Southeast, becoming cyclonic later, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in Fisher and 4 in German Bight. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough except in south German Bight. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor

Humber, Thames

Southeast veering southwest 3 to 5, veering northwest 4 to 6 later. Smooth or slight until later in Thames, otherwise slight or moderate. Occasional rain later. Good, occasionally poor later

Dover, Wight

Variable 3 or less becoming southwest 3 to 5, veering northwest 4 to 6 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later. Fair. Good, occasionally poor

Portland, Plymouth, Biscay

Variable 2 to 4 becoming north or northwest 4 to 6. Slight or moderate in Portland, but elsewhere moderate or rough. Fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first

Trafalgar

Cyclonic 6 to gale 8 at first in southwest, otherwise northerly or northeasterly 4 to 6, becoming variable 3 in southeast. Very rough or high at first in southwest, otherwise moderate or rough. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

FitzRoy

Northerly or northeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 3 at first, increasing 7 at times later in south, perhaps gale 8 later in south. Moderate or rough, becoming very rough later in northwest. Occasional rain, thundery in south, fog patches at first. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

West or southwest 3 to 5 veering west or northwest 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in Sole and Fastnet. In Sole and southwest Fastnet, moderate or rough becoming rough or very rough, elsewhere, slight or moderate. Occasional rain then showers, fog patches at first in Lundy and Irish Sea. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first in Lundy and Irish Sea

Shannon

Westerly or southwesterly veering northwesterly, 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time in north, becoming variable 3 later. Rough becoming very rough, then becoming high for a time in north. Rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Southerly or southwesterly, veering westerly later, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in Rockall, Bailey and Southeast Iceland and 4 elsewhere. Moderate or rough in southeast Fair Isle, elsewhere rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high except in Fair Isle. Rain then squally showers. Good, occasionally poor