Calais to Dover Ferry Weather Conditions

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🔴 Live weather Calais to Dover

The Calais-Dover route is the shortest ferry crossing between France and the UK, taking around 90 minutes. Weather conditions in the English Channel can affect sailings, especially during high winds or rough seas. The vessels are strong, modern and can take on heavy storms though. Cancellations are pretty rare. There are three companies you can sail with.

Delays at Calais or Dover port today

Here you can find the travel update sections of the ferry companies on this route:

If you see a large storm coming and want to be sure you can cancel easily, Be sure to book flexible tickets. Those tickets are available at all ferry operators crossing the Channel. These ships are strong/large ships, meaning they can take rough weather.

Wave Forecast

Wave heights in the Strait of Dover typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 meters but can exceed 3 meters during storms, causing increased motion on board.

Use our Seasickness Indicator to check the effect of waves on your crossing. For the Calais-Dover route, insert ‘2 hours’.

Wind Forecast

Strong winds from the west or southwest are common in the Channel. Wind speeds above 25 knots can create rougher conditions, with gusts over 40 knots during storms.

Rain and Storm Forecast

Rain is frequent, particularly from October to March. Storm systems can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and reduced visibility, affecting ferry schedules.

5-Day Weather Forecast

Calais Weather Forecast

loader-image
Arrondissement de Calais, FR
9:54 pm, Sep 29, 2025
weather icon 13°C | °F
L: 13° | H: 13°
overcast clouds
Humidity: 77 %
Pressure: 1025 hPa
Wind: 10 Km/h NE
Wind Gust: 10 Km/h
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0 mm
Rain Chance: 0%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 7:49 am
Sunset: 7:35 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
2.75 kmh 11:00 pm
1.88 kmh 2:00 am
1.35 kmh 5:00 am
1.69 kmh 8:00 am
2.42 kmh 11:00 am
2.99 kmh 2:00 pm
3.02 kmh 5:00 pm
2.72 kmh 8:00 pm
1.86 kmh 11:00 pm
1.37 kmh 2:00 am
1.46 kmh 5:00 am
1.72 kmh 8:00 am
1.94 kmh 11:00 am
1.51 kmh 2:00 pm
2.95 kmh 5:00 pm
3.23 kmh 8:00 pm
2.66 kmh 11:00 pm
2.91 kmh 2:00 am
3.03 kmh 5:00 am
3.28 kmh 8:00 am
4.64 kmh 11:00 am
4.89 kmh 2:00 pm
4.64 kmh 5:00 pm
4.53 kmh 8:00 pm
6.92 kmh 11:00 pm
7.32 kmh 2:00 am
6.2 kmh 5:00 am
5.14 kmh 8:00 am
7.34 kmh 11:00 am
9.64 kmh 2:00 pm
8.56 kmh 5:00 pm
8.64 kmh 8:00 pm
11.52 kmh 11:00 pm
16.63 kmh 2:00 am
13.9 kmh 5:00 am
15.99 kmh 8:00 am
16.16 kmh 11:00 am
16.46 kmh 2:00 pm
16.61 kmh 5:00 pm
15.27 kmh 8:00 pm

Dover Weather Forecast

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Dover, GB
8:54 pm, Sep 29, 2025
weather icon 13°C | °F
L: 13° | H: 14°
overcast clouds
Humidity: 76 %
Pressure: 1025 hPa
Wind: 7 Km/h ENE
Wind Gust: 7 Km/h
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0 mm
Rain Chance: 0%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 6:52 am
Sunset: 6:38 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
1.65 kmh 10:00 pm
1.02 kmh 1:00 am
1.14 kmh 4:00 am
1.9 kmh 7:00 am
1.21 kmh 10:00 am
1.59 kmh 1:00 pm
1.97 kmh 4:00 pm
1.92 kmh 7:00 pm
1.22 kmh 10:00 pm
0.65 kmh 1:00 am
0.62 kmh 4:00 am
0.53 kmh 7:00 am
2.21 kmh 10:00 am
1.94 kmh 1:00 pm
1.62 kmh 4:00 pm
1.17 kmh 7:00 pm
2.73 kmh 10:00 pm
2.93 kmh 1:00 am
2.69 kmh 4:00 am
4.1 kmh 7:00 am
5.93 kmh 10:00 am
6.61 kmh 1:00 pm
5.68 kmh 4:00 pm
4.82 kmh 7:00 pm
7.74 kmh 10:00 pm
9.13 kmh 1:00 am
7.99 kmh 4:00 am
8.23 kmh 7:00 am
9.19 kmh 10:00 am
9.48 kmh 1:00 pm
8.46 kmh 4:00 pm
8.69 kmh 7:00 pm
12.93 kmh 10:00 pm
17.01 kmh 1:00 am
11.99 kmh 4:00 am
13.64 kmh 7:00 am
14.69 kmh 10:00 am
14.16 kmh 1:00 pm
13.95 kmh 4:00 pm
13.34 kmh 7:00 pm
Other Channel Ferry routes we Track with on Ferryweather.com:
How often is the Calais–Dover crossing cancelled due to weather?

On average, the Calais–Dover ferry is cancelled 10–15 times per year due to weather. Most cancellations occur between November and February during strong English Channel winds and/or large storms.

What is the windiest month on the Calais–Dover route?

January is usually the windiest month, with average wind speeds around 28 km/h and gusts frequently reaching 50 km/h or more.

What is the average weather like for a Calais–Dover crossing?

Winter ~27 km/h (15 knots) Southwest 2.3-3.0 meters – 7-9°C
Spring ~23 km/h (12 knots) Southwest 1.5-2.5 meters – 10-12°C
Summer ~20 km/h (11 knots) Northeast 0.5-1.5 meters – 15-17°C
Autumn ~25 km/h (14 knots) Southwest 1.5-2.5 meters – 12-15°C

Do all ferry companies cancel at the same time during bad weather?

No. Each company (P&O, DFDS, Irish Ferries) uses its risk assessment, ship specifications, and crew decisions. One operator can cancel while another continues service. Also, modern and larger ferries can more easily withstand storms.

What happens if my Calais–Dover ferry is cancelled due to weather?

You’re usually offered a transfer or refund to the next available sailing. During severe disruptions, delays at the port can be several hours, and onboard space may be limited. Remember that booking more flexible tickets might help you avoid fees when rebooking or cancelling your tickets. All operators on these routes offer this kind of ticket.

⛈️ Calais to Dover Cancellations and Storm Gossip

How was your experience with stormy weather on this route? Feel free to ask us questions here!

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