Coast and Sea

Shipping forecast and gale warnings

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The general synopsis at midnight

Low just north of shetland 996 moving slowly southeast, losing its identity

Issued at: 04:05 (UTC) on Wed 13 May 2026.

For the period 06:00 (UTC) on Wed 13 May 2026 to 06:00 (UTC) on Thu 14 May 2026.

Shipping forecast and gale warnings map

Shipping forecast and gale warnings explained

Viking

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming northwest 4 or 5, then veering north 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Moderate, becoming rough later in far north.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

North Utsire

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming northwesterly 4 or 5, then veering northerly 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Moderate, becoming rough later in far north.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

South Utsire

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming northwesterly 5 or 6 later.
Sea state: Moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Forties

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Cromarty

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Smooth or slight.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Forth

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 4 or 5 later.
Sea state: Slight.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Tyne

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 4 or 5 later.
Sea state: Slight.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Dogger

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northwest 4 or 5 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fisher

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming northwest 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

German Bight

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming northwest 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Humber

Wind: Southwest, veering north or northwest, 4 or 5.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Thames

Wind: Southwest veering northwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Dover

Wind: West 5 to 7, veering northwest 4 or 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Wight

Wind: West 5 to 7, veering northwest 4 or 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Portland

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Plymouth

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Biscay

Wind: Northwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Trafalgar

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally slight in east.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

FitzRoy

Wind: North or northwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in far north.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Sole

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough, occasionally very rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Lundy

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fastnet

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in southwest.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Irish Sea

Wind: Northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally 4 later in east.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Shannon

Gale warning: Issued: 03:46 (UTC) on Wed 13 May 2026

Northwesterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Rockall

Gale warning: Issued: 15:50 (UTC) on Tue 12 May 2026

Northwesterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in southeast.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Malin

Gale warning: Issued: 03:46 (UTC) on Wed 13 May 2026

Northwesterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Northwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in southwest.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Hebrides

Wind: Northwest veering north 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, but moderate or rough in far southeast.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Bailey

Wind: North 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Very rough, becoming moderate or rough later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fair Isle

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming north 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Faeroes

Wind: North 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first in west.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Northeasterly 5 to 7, becoming variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Very rough at first in south, otherwise moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

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.