Coast and sea

Shipping forecast and gale warnings

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The general synopsis at midnight

Low Fastnet 996 expected Thames 995 by midnight tonight

Issued at: 05:05 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026.

For the period 06:00 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026 to 06:00 (UTC) on Mon 2 Feb 2026.

Shipping forecast and gale warnings map

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Shipping forecast and gale warnings explained

Viking

Gale warning: Issued: 15:49 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Southeast 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional sleet.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

North Utsire

Gale warning: Issued: 03:46 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Southeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in southwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Fair.
Visibility: Good.

South Utsire

Gale warning: Issued: 21:57 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 increasing severe gale force 9 later

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

Forties

Gale warning: Issued: 21:57 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: In northeast, southeasterly 7 or gale 8. In southwest, southeasterly 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: In northeast, occasional sleet or snow. In southwest, occasional rain.
Visibility: In northeast, moderate, occasionally poor. In southwest, moderate or good.

Cromarty

Wind: Southeast 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in east.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Forth

Wind: Southeasterly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Tyne

Wind: Southeasterly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Dogger

Wind: Southeasterly 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Fisher

Gale warning: Issued: 21:57 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: East 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in northwest.
Weather: Occasional sleet or snow.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor. Light icing in east.

German Bight

Wind: East 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional sleet or snow.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor. Light icing in east.

Humber

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally slight.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Thames

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Dover

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Wight

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Portland

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Plymouth

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southeast 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough in northeast, rough or very rough in southwest.
Weather: Rain at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Biscay

Wind: West 5 to 7, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southeast 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Trafalgar

Gale warning: Issued: 21:57 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Southwesterly gale force 8 expected later

Forecast issued: 00:15 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026

Wind: Southwest 4 or 5, increasing 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, but moderate or rough in far southeast.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

FitzRoy

Gale warning: Issued: 03:46 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 expected soon, veering northwesterly and increasing severe gale force 9 later

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming southeast 6 to gale 8, then cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming high later in far southwest.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Sole

Gale warning: Issued: 03:46 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026

Gale now ceased but southeasterly gale force 8 expected soon, increasing severe gale force 9 later

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming southeast 6 to gale 8, then cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Lundy

Wind: West 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southeast 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fastnet

Wind: West 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southeast 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in southwest.
Weather: Rain at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Irish Sea

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Shannon

Gale warning: Issued: 03:46 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026

Gale now ceased but southeasterly severe gale force 9 expected later

Wind: West 4 to 6, backing southeast 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Very rough, occasionally high in far west.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Rockall

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming southeast 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Malin

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Rough or very rough in west, moderate or rough in east.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Hebrides

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, but moderate or rough in far southeast.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Bailey

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Fair Isle

Gale warning: Issued: 09:50 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Southeast 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or sleet.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Faeroes

Wind: Southeast 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Southeast Iceland

Gale warning: Issued: 21:57 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Northeasterly gale force 8 expected soon

Wind: Easterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in far west.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or 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.