Shipping forecast for the North Irish Sea

Strong winds, with a risk of local gales for a time this evening.

A deep area of low pressure lies to the west of Iceland, with an associated frontal trough tracking eastwards across the Irish Sea this evening.

South or southwest 5 or 6 increasing 6 or 7 later this morning & this afternoon, and perhaps locally touching gale 8 in the west of the area this evening, then veering west or southwest 6 or 7 in all waters tonight.

Slight or moderate, building moderate or rough later this morning & this afternoon, although remaining slight or moderate in Liverpool Bay & Morecambe Bay until this evening.

Occasional rain or drizzle, then a band of more persistent and heavier rain will spread from the west this evening, clearing tonight to become mainly fair.

Moderate or good occasionally poor in rain and drizzle, becoming mostly good tonight.

West or southwest 6 or 7, backing and decreasing southwest 5 or 6 later Wednesday morning & afternoon. Backing and increasing south or southwest 7 or gale 8 early Wednesday night, then occasionally severe gale 9 by this time Thursday morning.

Moderate or rough, falling mainly moderate Wednesday afternoon, quickly building mostly rough Wednesday night, then very rough in central parts by this time Thursday morning.

Mainly fair with only isolated showers, then occasional rain spreading from the northwest overnight into Thursday.

Mostly good, but occasionally moderate in any showers, then becoming moderate or poor in rain later.