Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Tuesday 12 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 10:30 (UTC+1) on Tue 12 May 2026 for the period 12:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 12 May 2026 to 12:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 13 May 2026.

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

The general synopsis at 0600

Low just northeast of Southeast Iceland 991, moving slowly southeast, losing its identity. New low expected Forties 998 by 0600 tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4. Moderate, occasionally slight. Rain or showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first

South Utsire

Cyclonic 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally slight in east. Rain. Moderate or good, occasionally poor

East Forties

Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4. Moderate. Rain then showers, perhaps thundery. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first

West Forties, Cromarty

Northwesterly 5 to 7, becoming variable 2 to 4. Slight or moderate. Showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Forth, Tyne

West 4 to 6, veering northwest 3 or 4 later. Slight or moderate. Showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Dogger, Fisher, German Bight

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight or moderate. Rain then showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Humber, Thames

West 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Showers, thundery later. Good, occasionally moderate, but poor later

Dover, Wight

Southwest 3 to 5, veering northwest 5 to 7. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in Wight. Showers. Good occasionally moderate

Portland, Plymouth

West or northwest 3 to 5, increasing 5 to 7 later. Smooth or slight at first in Portland, otherwise slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later. Showers later. Good occasionally moderate later

Biscay, North FitzRoy

Northerly 3 to 5, backing northwesterly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in north. Showers. Good

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Cyclonic 3 to 5. Moderate or rough in west, slight or moderate in east. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally moderate.

South FitzRoy

Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming northeasterly 3 to 5. Moderate occasionally rough at first in west, slight or moderate in east. Showers, thundery at first. Good, occasionally moderate

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Northwest 4 or 5, increasing 5 to 7. Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough. Showers later. Good occasionally moderate later

Irish Sea

West or northwest 5 to 7. Slight or moderate. Showers, thundery later. Good, occasionally poor

Shannon

Northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in northeast. Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough. Showers. Good

Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey

West veering northwest 6 to gale 8. Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high for a time except in Hebrides. Squally showers. Good occasionally poor

Fair Isle

West 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first, becoming variable 2 to 4. Rough or very rough in northwest, slight or moderate in southeast. Showers, perhaps thundery. Good, occasionally poor

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic becoming northerly later, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later in Southeast Iceland. Rough or very rough. Rain or showers. Good occasionally poor