Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 8 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 04:05 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026 for the period 06:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 8 May 2026 to 06:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 9 May 2026.

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

The general synopsis at midnight

Low Faeroes 998 expected Norwegian Sea 1002 by midnight tonight. Low 200 miles west of Trafalgar 1001 slow-moving, deepening 998 by same time. Low Spain 1009 moving steadily north losing its identity by that time. High Norway 1024 expected finland 1030 by midnight tonight

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

Southerly 5 to 7, veering westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6. Moderate or rough, occasionally slight later. Occasional rain. Good occasionally poor

South Utsire

Southerly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Slight occasionally moderate. Rain later. Good, occasionally poor later

Forties, Cromarty, Forth

South 4 to 6, veering north 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain or showers. Good occasionally poor

Tyne, Dogger

South 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4. Slight, occasionally moderate at first. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate later

Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames

East or southeast 2 to 4. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first in far northwest Fisher. Fair. Good

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming east or northeast 4 or 5. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate in Plymouth. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate later

Biscay

East, becoming cyclonic, 3 to 5. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Good occasionally moderate

Trafalgar (issued 23:15 UTC+1)

Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6. Slight, becoming moderate or rough. Thundery rain or showers. Good occasionally poor.

FitzRoy

Cyclonic 4 to 6, increasing 7 later in far north. Slight at first in southeast, otherwise moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far northwest. Thundery rain. Good occasionally poor

Sole

East 4 to 6, backing northeast 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Slight at first in far east, otherwise moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far west. Fair then rain. Good, becoming moderate or poor

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

Variable 3 or less, becoming northeast 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate, occasionally rough later in Fastnet. Showers. Good

Shannon

Northeast 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later. Moderate at first in southeast, otherwise rough, occasionally very rough later in far southwest. Occasional rain. Good occasionally poor

Rockall, Malin

North or northwest 4 to 6. Rough, occasionally very rough at first, becoming moderate later in east Malin. Showers. Good

Hebrides, Bailey

Northwest 6 to gale 8, decreasing 3 to 5. Rough occasionally very rough. Showers. Good

Fair Isle

Southwest, veering west, 5 to 7, then veering northwest 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in far northwest. Showers. Good

Faeroes, Southeast Iceland

Cyclonic at first in Faeroes, otherwise northerly, backing northwesterly, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in Southeast Iceland. Rough or very rough, occasionally high. Rain or sleet then squally wintry showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor