Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Low 64 north 05 west 974 expected 74 north 03 east 968 by same time. Lows 54 north 32 west 986 and 62 north 39 west 974 losing their identities

Issued at: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026.

For the period 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026 to 20:00 (UTC) on Wed 14 Oct 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Westerly 4 to 6, backing southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough, occasionally very rough later.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Shannon

Wind: South or southwest 5 to 7, increasing 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: South or southwest 5 to 7, increasing 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high, then high or very high later in northwest.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: Southwest 6 to gale 8, becoming cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, then southwest severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 later, perhaps hurricane force 12 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming high or very high later, then phenomenal later in far north.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or poor.

Faeroes

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: West 6 to gale 8, backing south gale 8 to storm 10 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming high or very high later.
Weather: Squally showers then rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: Westerly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, increasing severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 later, perhaps hurricane force 12 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very high or phenomenal later.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally moderate, becoming moderate or poor.

East Northern Section

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5 at first in northwest, otherwise 7 to severe gale 9, increasing severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, then hurricane force 12 for a time later in northeast.
Sea state: Rough at first in north, otherwise very rough or high, becoming high or very high later, occasionally phenomenal later in northeast.
Weather: Rain or squally showers.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, but good at first in northwest.

West Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, increasing severe gale 9 for a time in east, becoming mainly westerly or northwesterly later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high later in east.
Weather: Rain or squally showers, perhaps wintry in northwest.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

East Central Section

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

In southeastern half of area

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high in northwest.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

In northwestern half of area

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly gale 8 to storm 10, increasing violent storm 11 for a time at first in northwest, decreasing 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Rain then showers.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, becoming good later.

West Central Section

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

In eastern half of area

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly southerly or southwesterly, gale 8 to storm 10, becoming westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 later in south.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Rain then showers.
Visibility: Moderate occasionally poor, becoming good later, but occasionally poor later in north.

In western half of area

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 later in south.
Sea state: High in south until later, otherwise very rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Denmark Strait

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly northeasterly, 6 to gale 8, increasing gale 8 to storm 10 later, occasionally violent storm 11 later in southeast.
Sea state: Moderate or rough at first in east, otherwise rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high later in east.
Weather: Occasional rain, sleet and snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing later in northeast, with temperatures ms02 to ms04.

North Iceland

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

In area north of 69 north

Wind: Northerly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic, mainly northwesterly, 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain, snow and freezing rain until later in east.
Visibility: Moderate or good in west, moderate or poor, occasionally very poor until later in east. Light icing in north, occasional moderate icing later in far north, with temperatures ms02 to ms04.

In rest of area

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, increasing severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough high, then very high or phenomenal later in south.
Weather: Rain or squally showers, snow later in northwest.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor, becoming moderate or poor, occasionally very poor later in northwest.

Norwegian Basin

Storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 13 Oct 2026

At 131200UTC, low 47 north 40 west 980 expected 62 north 20 west 933 by 141200UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 132000UTC, then extending into the southeastern quadrant within 300 and 400 miles of centre from 140200UTC until 141500UTC. Winds increasing to violent storm force 11 in the southeastern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 132300UTC, this then extending into the southeastern semicircle within 300 miles of the centre from 140400UTC. Winds will then increase to hurricane force 12 in the southeastern quadrant within 100 and 150 miles of centre from 140800UTC until 141800UTC. In addition, winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the northwestern quadrant within 50 and 150 miles of centre from 140400UTC, extending to the northwestern semicircle within 150 and 300 miles of centre from 141500UTC. Southerly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 in the east of Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC.

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, backing southerly or southwesterly 5 to 7, then southerly gale 8 or severe gale 9 later, occasionally storm 10 later in east.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Showers, thundery at first in southeast, rain later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

Risk of hurricane force winds in Bailey and Southeast Iceland. Violent storms are expected in East Northern Section, Denmark Strait and north Iceland, with a risk of violent storms in Faeroes. Storms are expected in Norwegian Basin. Gales are expected in Sole, Shannon, Rockall, West Northern Section and East Central Section.

Unscheduled storm warnings are broadcast via Safetynet and in bulletin WONT54 EGRR available via some internet and ftpmail outlets

High seas forecast information

High seas forecasts are issued twice daily at 0930 and 2130 GMT and cover the next 24 hours and outlooks for the following 24 hours.

The part of the North Atlantic known as Metarea I is divided into twelve sea areas, six of which are also in the Shipping forecast.

The high seas forecast contains a general synopsis and sea-area forecasts containing forecast wind direction and force, weather and visibility for the next 24 hours with an outlook for the following 24 hours.

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.

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