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 04:05 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 for the period 06:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 7 May 2026 to 06:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026.

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

The general synopsis at midnight

Low west Bailey 998 expected Faeroes 999 by midnight tonight

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking

Variable 2 to 4 becoming southerly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later in north. Moderate, becoming rough in west and north. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate later

North Utsire, South Utsire

Variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly 4 or 5 later, but increasing 6 later in northern North Utsire. Slight or moderate, becoming smooth or slight later in eastern South Utsire. Fair. Good

Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, West Dogger

Variable 2 to 4 at first except in Cromarty and Forth, otherwise southerly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good

East Dogger, Fisher, German Bight

Variable 2 to 4. Slight or moderate, becoming smooth or slight in east Fisher and east German Bight. Fair. Good

Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming southeasterly 4 or 5 in west Humber. Moderate at first in east Humber, otherwise smooth or slight. Showers. Good

Biscay

Variable 2 to 4 becoming east or northeast 3 to 5. Smooth or slight in northeast, slight or moderate in southwest. Showers, thundery in south. 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.

Southeast FitzRoy

Cyclonic 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Northwest FitzRoy, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight in Lundy and northeast Fastnet, but elsewhere slight or moderate. Showers. Good

Irish Sea

South, veering southwest later, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in north. Showers. Good

Shannon

Southwesterly becoming variable 2 to 4, then becoming northeasterly 5 later in northwest. Slight at first in east, otherwise moderate, but becoming rough in northwest. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides

Southwesterly veering westerly or northwesterly, 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time in northwest Rockall and northwest Hebrides. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough in Rockall and west Hebrides. Rain or showers. Good, occasionally poor

Bailey

Cyclonic 4 to 6 at first in south, otherwise northeasterly backing northerly 7 to severe gale 9, then northwesterly 5 to 7 later. Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high for a time in west. Rain then wintry showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

Southeasterly veering southerly or southwesterly, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in north. Moderate or rough. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Faeroes

Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in west and 5 elsewhere. Moderate at first in east, otherwise rough or very rough. Rain, sleet or showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Northeasterly, backing northerly later, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in east and 5 in west. Moderate or rough at first except in far south, otherwise rough or very rough. Snow showers or rain. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor