Coast and Sea

Shipping forecast and gale warnings

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The general synopsis at midnight

Low Fisher 996 losing its identity by midnight tonight

Issued at: 04:05 (UTC) on Sat 16 May 2026.

For the period 06:00 (UTC) on Sat 16 May 2026 to 06:00 (UTC) on Sun 17 May 2026.

Shipping forecast and gale warnings map

Shipping forecast and gale warnings explained

Viking

Wind: Northerly 4 or 5 at first in west, otherwise variable, becoming southwesterly later, 2 to 4.
Sea state: Rough at first in west, elsewhere moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

North Utsire

Wind: Variable, becoming southwesterly later, 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate, becoming mainly slight later.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

South Utsire

Wind: Variable, becoming southwesterly later, 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate, becoming mainly slight later.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Forties

Wind: Northwest 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then south or southwest 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough at first.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Cromarty

Wind: Northwest 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then south or southwest 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough at first, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Forth

Wind: Northwest 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then south or southwest 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough at first, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Tyne

Wind: Northwest 4 to 6, backing south or southwest 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Dogger

Wind: Northwest 4 to 6, backing south or southwest 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fisher

Wind: Cyclonic becoming west, 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate, but rough at first in southwest.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

German Bight

Wind: West 5 to 7, backing southwest 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Humber

Wind: Westerly backing southwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first in north.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Thames

Wind: Westerly backing southwesterly 3 to 5.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Dover

Wind: Northwest 2 to 4, becoming southwest 3 to 5.
Sea state: Slight, occasionally moderate later.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Wight

Wind: Northwest, backing southwest, then veering northwest later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later.
Sea state: Smooth or slight becoming slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Portland

Wind: Northwest, backing southwest, then veering northwest later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Plymouth

Wind: Northwest, backing southwest, then veering northwest later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Biscay

Wind: West or northwest, 3 to 5.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

FitzRoy

Wind: West or northwest, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Sole

Wind: West or northwest, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Trafalgar

Wind: North 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally slight in far southeast.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Lundy

Wind: West or northwest 3 to 5, increasing 6 at times.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain then showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fastnet

Wind: West or northwest 3 to 5, increasing 6 at times.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming rough later in southwest.
Weather: Rain then showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Irish Sea

Wind: Northwest 3 or 4, backing west or southwest, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later.
Sea state: Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather: Occasional rain, showers later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Shannon

Wind: West or northwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate at first in east, otherwise rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers, perhaps thundery later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Rockall

Wind: Southeasterly at first in far northeast, otherwise westerly, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate at first in east, otherwise rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers, perhaps thundery.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Malin

Wind: Southeasterly veering westerly, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in south.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming rough later, occasionally very rough later in far west.
Weather: Rain then showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Hebrides

Wind: Southeast becoming cyclonic, 3 to 5, then variable 2 to 4 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Bailey

Wind: Southeast becoming cyclonic 4 to 6.
Sea state: Rough, but moderate at first in east.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Fair Isle

Wind: North or northwest 4 or 5, becoming variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally slight later in east.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Faeroes

Wind: East or northeast 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Southeast backing east, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Shipping forecast information

The shipping forecast is issued four times a day at 2300, 0500, 1100, 1700 UTC and covers a period of 24 hours from 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC respectively.

The waters around the British Isles are divided into 31 sea areas shown on the map.

The forecast contains details of gale warnings in force, a general synopsis and sea-area forecasts containing wind direction and force, sea state, weather and visibility.

Gale warnings are issued as required throughout the day (for winds of Gale Force 8 or more).

Marine forecasts disclaimer

In the UK, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for the provision of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to ships at sea, which includes the broadcast of warnings and forecasts. The Met Office initiates warnings and prepares routine forecasts for dissemination on behalf of the MCA.

Caution: The internet is not part of the Maritime Safety Information system and should never be relied upon as the only means to obtain the latest forecast and warning information. Access to the service may be interrupted or delayed from time to time, updates may also be delayed.

Please refer to GMDSS services, INMARSAT SafetyNET or international NAVTEX for the latest information. When using these web pages, always check that the page on your screen is not from your cache. Use the Refresh or Reload button if in any doubt.