Shipping forecast and gale warnings

Friday 1 May 2026

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 17:25 (UTC+1) on Fri 1 May 2026 for the period 19:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 1 May 2026 to 19:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 2 May 2026 .

The general synopsis at midday

Low Shannon 1015 expected southwest Ireland 1012 by midday tomorrow.

The area forecasts for the next 24 hours

Viking, North Utsire

South 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then northeasterly 4 to 6 later. Slight or moderate. Occasional rain until later. Good, occasionally poor

South Utsire, Southeast Forties

Southerly or southeasterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 3 or less, then northwesterly 2 to 4 later. Slight or moderate, becoming slight. Rain. Good, occasionally poor

Northwest Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne

Southerly 3 to 5, becoming cyclonic 2 to 4, then northeasterly 3 to 5 later, but variable 3 or less later in Tyne. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in Forth and Tyne. Rain or showers, fog patches later in Forties. Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later in Forties

Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames

South or southeast 3 to 5, becoming cyclonic then west or southwest 3 or 4 later, but variable 3 or less later in Thames. Smooth or slight, but slight or moderate at first in Fisher. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, but slight occasionally moderate in west Plymouth. Showers, perhaps thundery, fog patches. Good, occasionally very poor

Biscay

Variable 2 to 4 at first in north, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6. Slight or moderate. Thundery showers. Moderate or good

Trafalgar (issued 2315 UTC)

Variable, becoming mainly southerly or southwesterly in west, 2 to 4. Moderate, occasionally slight in southeast. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor.

FitzRoy, Sole

Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic then mainly northwesterly later, 3 to 5. Moderate, occasionally slight far east Sole. Thundery showers. Good, occasionally poor

Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea

Southerly or southwesterly, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 at first, becoming variable 2 to 4 later. Smooth or slight, but slight or moderate in Fastnet. Showers, fog patches in Irish Sea. Good, occasionally poor, but very poor at times in Irish Sea

Shannon, South Rockall

Cyclonic, becoming northerly, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in Shannon. Moderate, occasionally rough in Shannon. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

North Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey

Variable 2 to 4 at first Malin, otherwise cyclonic becoming northeasterly later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in Hebrides. Moderate, occasionally rough in Bailey and later in Hebrides. Showers. Good, occasionally poor

Fair Isle

Variable 2 to 4, becoming north or northeast 4 to 6 later. Moderate, occasionally slight in east, and rough at times in west. Rain. Moderate or good

Faeroes

Cyclonic becoming northerly or northwesterly, 3 to 5, then variable 2 to 4 later. Moderate or rough. Rain. Good, occasionally moderate

Southeast Iceland

Northerly or northwesterly 5 to 7, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southwesterly 4 to 6 later. Moderate or rough. Showers. Good, occasionally moderate