Coast and sea

Shipping forecast and gale warnings

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The general synopsis at 0600

Low FitzRoy 971 expected Plymouth 970 by 0600 tomorrow.

Issued at: 11:30 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026.

For the period 12:00 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026 to 12:00 (UTC) on Thu 5 Feb 2026.

Shipping forecast and gale warnings map

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Shipping forecast and gale warnings explained

Viking

Gale warning: Issued: 21:54 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 continuing

Wind: In southwest, southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 until later. In northeast, southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first and 3 later.
Sea state: In southwest, very rough or high, becoming rough or very rough. in northeast, rough or very rough at first in northeast, otherwise moderate or rough.
Weather: In southwest, sleet or snow. In northeast, fair.
Visibility: In southwest, moderate to very poor. In northeast, good.

North Utsire

Wind: Southeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first and 3 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Fair.
Visibility: Good.

South Utsire

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 continuing

Wind: Southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally 6 in north.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first, and moderate at times later.
Weather: Sleet or snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light icing.

Forties

Gale warning: Issued: 21:54 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 continuing

Wind: In northeast, southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9. In southwest, southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: In northeast, rough or very rough, occasionally high at first. in southwest, rough or very rough.
Weather: In northeast, sleet or snow. In southwest, rain or sleet.
Visibility: In northeast, moderate or good, occasionally very poor. In southwest, good, occasionally poor.

Cromarty

Gale warning: Issued: 03:58 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Forth

Wind: Southeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally 4 at first, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Tyne

Wind: Southeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally 4 at first, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Dogger

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Fisher

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 continuing

Wind: Southeasterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

German Bight

Gale warning: Issued: 21:54 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Southeasterly severe gale force 9 decreasing gale force 8 soon

Wind: Southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in south and east.
Weather: Rain or sleet.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor, light icing.

Humber

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6, increasing 7 at times.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Thames

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6, increasing 7 at times.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Dover

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Wight

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6, increasing 7 at times.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Portland

Gale warning: Issued: 21:54 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: Cyclonic becoming south later, 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers then rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Plymouth

Gale warning: Issued: 21:54 (UTC) on Tue 3 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: Cyclonic becoming south later, 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first in west.
Weather: Showers then rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Biscay

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Gale force 8 veering southwesterly imminent

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, increasing gale 8 at times.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Trafalgar

Forecast issued: 00:15 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 in north.
Sea state: Very rough.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

FitzRoy

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Gale force 8 veering southwesterly imminent

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, increasing gale 8 at times, perhaps severe gale 9 later in southeast.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming high later in southwest.
Weather: Rain or thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Sole

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected soon

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 for a time in east.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Lundy

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6 backing east 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Fastnet

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6 backing east 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Irish Sea

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6 backing east 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate at first, otherwise moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 expected later

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6 backing east 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, but becoming rough or very rough later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

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

Malin

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

Hebrides

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

Bailey

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: In south, east or southeast 5 to 7. In north, easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: In south, rough or very rough. in north, rough or very rough.
Weather: In south, rain or showers. In north, rain or showers.
Visibility: In south, good, occasionally poor. In north, good, occasionally poor.

Fair Isle

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Southeasterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in south.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally 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: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Gale warning: Issued: 09:54 (UTC) on Wed 4 Feb 2026

Easterly gale force 8 continuing

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or 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.