Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 17 July 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 10:30 (UTC+1) on Fri 17 Jul 2026 for the period 12:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 17 Jul 2026 to 12:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 18 Jul 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, and Fisher.

The general synopsis at 0600

High 300 miles west of Rockall 1031 slow moving, intensifying 1033 by 0600 tomorrow

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Northerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8. Moderate becoming moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later. Showers at first. Moderate or good

South Utsire, East Forties

Cyclonic at first in South Utsire, otherwise northwesterly, 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 later. Slight or moderate, becoming rough or very rough later. Showers at first, perhaps thundery. Moderate or good

West Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger

Northerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later in west Forties and Dogger. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in west Forties and Dogger. Showers. Good

Fisher, German Bight

Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 later in Fisher, occasionally 7 later in German Bight. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later, occasionally very rough later in Fisher. Showers, thundery at first. Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first

Humber, Northeast Thames

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in Humber. Slight, becoming slight or moderate in Humber and later in northeast Thames. Showers. Good

Southwest Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Cyclonic 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate later in southwest Thames. Mainly fair. Good

Biscay

Northwest becoming variable, 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 2 in north and 6 later in southeast. Slight, occasionally moderate later in south. Showers. Moderate or good.

FitzRoy

Variable 2 to 4, becoming north or northeast 3 to 5. Slight, occasionally moderate later. Showers, perhaps thundery in south. Moderate or good

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

Variable 2 to 4, becoming north or northeast 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate in Sole and Fastnet and then later in Lundy. Fair. Good

Irish Sea

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in northwest, becoming variable 2 to 4 at times in east. Smooth or slight occasionally moderate. Fair. Good

Shannon, Rockall, Malin

North or northeast 4 to 6. Moderate, occasionally slight in east Malin. Fair. Good

Hebrides, Bailey

North or northwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in Bailey. Moderate, occasionally slight in east Hebrides. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Fair Isle

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in east. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in far east. Fair. Good

Faeroes

Variable 2 to 4 at first in northeast, otherwise northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally slight in east. Fair. Good

Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic, becoming southwesterly later, 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally slight in northwest. Fog patches developing. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor