Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Wednesday 23 September 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 04:05 (UTC+1) on Wed 23 Sep 2026 for the period 06:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 23 Sep 2026 to 06:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 24 Sep 2026.

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

The general synopsis at midnight

Low Forth 1022 expected Denmark 1009 by midnight tonight. New high expected England 1027 by same time

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 except in Viking, increasing 7 to severe gale 9 later South Utsire. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough. Thundery rain then showers, fog patches. Moderate, occasionally very poor

Cromarty, Forth, Tyne

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 5 to 7, then variable 4 later. Smooth or slight becoming slight or moderate. Thundery rain then showers. Good, occasionally poor

Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber

Cyclonic 3 to 5, increasing 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 except in Humber, increasing 7 to severe gale 9 later in Fisher. Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in Fisher. Thundery showers, fog patches, fair later. Moderate to very poor, becoming good later

Thames

Southwest becoming cyclonic, 4 to 6. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate. Thundery showers at first. Good, occasionally poor at first

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 4, becoming east 3 to 5 later. Smooth or slight, but slight or moderate in Plymouth and Portland. Fair. Good, occasionally moderate

Biscay, Southeast FitzRoy

Cyclonic 4 to 6. Moderate, occasionally rough at first. Fair. Good

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Cyclonic, mainly northeasterly, 3 to 5. Moderate occasionally rough. Fair. Good.

Northwest FitzRoy, Sole

Northerly veering southeasterly, then southwesterly later, 4 to 6. Moderate or rough. Fair. Good

Lundy, Fastnet

Northwest veering northeast, then south later, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough at first in Fastnet. Showers. Good

Irish Sea

West or northwest 4 to 6, becoming variable 4 or less, then southeast 4 to 6 later. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate. Rain at first. Good, occasionally poor at first

Shannon, Rockall

Northwest 3 to 5, backing south or southeast 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 later, occasionally severe gale 9 later in Rockall. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor

Malin, Hebrides

Northwest backing southwest, 4 to 6, backing south 5 to 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first in Hebrides. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally moderate

Bailey

Southwest backing south, 4 to 6, backing southeast 7 to severe gale 9 later. Rough or very rough. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

West or northwest 3 to 5, backing south 4 to 6 later. Very rough at first in northwest, otherwise moderate or rough. Showers. Moderate or good

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Southwesterly 4 to 6, backing southeasterly 6 to gale 8 later. Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in Faeroes. Showers, rain later. Good, occasionally poor