Coast and sea

Shipping forecast and gale warnings

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The general synopsis at midday

Low Sole 980 losing its identity. New low expected FitzRoy 976 by midday tomorrow

Issued at: 17:25 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026.

For the period 18:00 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026 to 18:00 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026.

Shipping forecast and gale warnings map

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Shipping forecast and gale warnings explained

Viking

Gale warning: Issued: 21:55 (UTC) on Mon 2 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 increasing severe gale force 9 later

Wind: In southwest, southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9. In northeast, southeasterly 4 to 6, but 7 or gale 8 until later in south.
Sea state: In southwest, very rough, becoming high later in southwest. in northeast, moderate or rough.
Weather: In southwest, snow. In northeast, mainly fair.
Visibility: In southwest, moderate, occasionally very poor. In northeast, good.

North Utsire

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 expected soon

Wind: Southeasterly 4 to 6, but 7 or gale 8 until later in south.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Mainly fair.
Visibility: Good.

South Utsire

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 continuing

Wind: Southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional snow.
Visibility: Good, occasionally very poor.

Forties

Gale warning: Issued: 21:55 (UTC) on Mon 2 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing, increasing severe gale force 9 later

Wind: Southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high in north.
Weather: Occasional snow.
Visibility: Good, occasionally very poor.

Cromarty

Gale warning: Issued: 04:00 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: Southeast 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Forth

Wind: Southeast 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Tyne

Wind: Southeast 5 to 7, decreasing 4 or 5 for a time.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Dogger

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Southeast 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Fisher

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 continuing

Wind: East or southeast 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 until later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

German Bight

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 increasing severe gale force 9 soon

Wind: East or southeast 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 until later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light icing.

Humber

Wind: East, becoming cyclonic for a time, 4 to 6, but 7 at first in northeast.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain until later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Thames

Wind: East, becoming cyclonic for a time, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain until later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Dover

Wind: South 3 to 5, backing east 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor at first.

Wight

Wind: South 3 to 5, backing east 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor at first.

Portland

Wind: South 4 to 6, backing east 5 to 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Plymouth

Wind: South 4 to 6, backing east 5 to 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Biscay

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: South 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Trafalgar

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Gale now ceased but southwesterly gale force 8 expected soon

Forecast issued: 00:15 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Wind: West or southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

FitzRoy

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Gale now ceased but southerly gale force 8 expected soon, veering westerly later

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Sole

Wind: Cyclonic becoming southeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Lundy

Wind: Cyclonic becoming southeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming moderate or rough later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Fastnet

Wind: Cyclonic becoming southeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming moderate or rough later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Irish Sea

Wind: East 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough becoming slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Wind: Cyclonic becoming southeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming moderate or rough later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

Gale warning: Issued: 15:45 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: East 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Malin

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: East 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Hebrides

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Gale now ceased but easterly gale force 8 expected soon

Wind: East 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers, wintry at first in north.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Gale now ceased but easterly gale force 8 expected soon

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

Fair Isle

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high later in southeast.
Weather: Sleet or snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good occasionally very poor.

Faeroes

Gale warning: Issued: 15:45 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Gale warning: Issued: 09:46 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected soon

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

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.