Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Tuesday 21 July 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 23:15 (UTC+1) on Mon 20 Jul 2026 for the period 00:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 21 Jul 2026 to 00:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 22 Jul 2026.

There are warnings of gales in Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at 1800

High 250 miles west of south Rockall 1037 slow-moving, intensifying 1039 by 1800 Tuesday

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in southwest Viking, becoming variable 2 or 3 for a time in North Utsire. Slight or moderate, becoming rough later in southwest Viking. Drizzle at times. Good, occasionally poor

South Utsire

Northwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later in southeast, perhaps gale 8 later in far southeast. Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in east. Drizzle at times. Good, occasionally moderate

Forties, Cromarty

Northwest 3 or 4 increasing 4 to 6. Smooth or slight in west Cromarty, elsewhere slight or moderate, but becoming moderate or rough later in Forties. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally moderate

Forth, Tyne

Variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate later in far northeast of Forth. Mainly fair. Good

Dogger

North or northwest 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Fisher

Northwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later in northeast, perhaps gale 8 later in northeast. Moderate, becoming rough later in northeast. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

German Bight, Humber

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 later in west Humber. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate

Thames, Dover

Northerly or northeasterly 3 or 4, becoming variable 2 later except in northeast Thames. Slight, occasionally smooth in southwest Thames and Dover. Mainly fair. Good

Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Northeast or variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate in far northwest of Plymouth. Fair. Good

Biscay

Northeast 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Trafalgar

Mainly northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, but variable 3 or less in northeast. Moderate, occasionally slight in east and rough in far northwest. Thundery showers in northwest. Good, occasionally moderate in northwest

FitzRoy

Mainly northeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 near northwestern spain, but variable 2 to 4 in far southeast. Moderate or rough, but slight or moderate in far southeast. Thundery showers in south. Good, occasionally moderate in south

Sole, Lundy, Fastnet

North or northeast 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 at times in Fastnet. Smooth or slight in east Lundy and north Fastnet, but elsewhere slight or moderate. Fair. Good

Irish Sea

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in north. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth. Fair. Good

Shannon

North or northeast 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally moderate

Rockall, Malin

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in southeast Malin. Slight or moderate. Drizzle at times. Good, occasionally moderate+

Hebrides

Northwest 3 to 5. Slight or moderate in southeast, moderate throughout in northwest. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally moderate

Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes

Westerly or northwesterly mainly 4 to 6, but 3 or 4 at first in southeast Fair Isle. Slight at first in southeast Fair Isle, otherwise moderate or rough. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally poor

Southeast Iceland

Westerly mainly 4 to 6, but 7 or gale 8 at first in west, and becoming variable 2 to 4 in north. Moderate or rough, becoming slight or moderate in far north. Occasional drizzle. Good, occasionally poor