High seas forecast and storm warnings
The general synopsis for UK
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Low 69 north 03 west 967 expected 78 north 06 east 969 by same time. Low 60 north 40 west 976 losing its identity
Issued at: .
For the period to .
High seas forecast and storm warnings map
Sole
- Wind
- Southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Rain later.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
Shannon
- Wind
- Southerly 7 to severe gale 9, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain.
- Visibility
- Poor.
Rockall
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- South 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10, veering southwest 6 to gale 8.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally very high in north.
- Weather
- Occasional rain.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Bailey
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- South veering southwest, severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, decreasing gale 8 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high becoming high or very high, occasionally phenomenal in north.
- Weather
- Rain then squally showers.
- Visibility
- Poor.
Faeroes
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- South or southwest 6 to gale 8, increasing gale 8 to storm 10.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high, then high or very high.
- Weather
- Rain or showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Southeast Iceland
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- Cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, increasing severe gale 9 to violent storm 11.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough becoming very high or phenomenal.
- Weather
- Rain or squally showers.
- Visibility
- Poor.
East Northern Section
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- Cyclonic severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, occasionally hurricane force 12 at first just south of low centre, decreasing 7 to severe gale 9 in south and west, decreasing 5 to 7 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high at first in far north, otherwise high or very high, occasionally phenomenal at first in northeast, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Rain or squally showers.
- Visibility
- Poor, becoming moderate or good occasionally poor later.
West Northern Section
In northeast
- Wind
- Northwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, decreasing 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6 later.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, occasionally high in far east.
- Weather
- Squally showers.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
In south
- Wind
- Cyclonic becoming westerly, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in far east.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, occasionally high in east.
- Weather
- Squally showers.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
In northwest
- Wind
- Northerly or northwesterly, backing westerly or southwesterly later, 4 to 6.
- Sea state
- Rough, occasionally moderate in west and very rough later in east.
- Weather
- Showers.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
East Central Section
In north
- Wind
- Westerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in east, decreasing 5 or 6.
- Sea state
- High becoming very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain at first in east, otherwise showers, squally at first.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, becoming good occasionally poor.
In south
- Wind
- Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in far northeast, becoming westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6 in west and later in east.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, becoming rough or very rough later.
- Weather
- Rain at times, then showers in northwest.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
West Central Section
In north
- Wind
- Westerly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
- Sea state
- Very rough, occasionally high at first.
- Weather
- Squally showers.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
In south
- Wind
- Westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first in north, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in southwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough, occasionally high at first in east, becoming rough at times later in south and west.
- Weather
- Rain at first in far southeast, otherwise showers, squally at first in north.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first in east.
Denmark Strait
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
In area east of 31 west
- Wind
- Northeasterly 6 to gale 8, backing northerly gale 8 to storm 10, occasionally violent storm 11 in southeast, decreasing 5 to 7 later, but becoming variable 3 or 4 later in west.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough becoming very rough or high.
- Weather
- Wintry showers, sleet and snow for a time in southeast.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor, becoming moderate to very poor for a time in southeast. Light or moderate icing expected in area enclosed east of 27 west and north of 68 north with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe in far north with temperatures around ms07.
In area west of 31 west
- Wind
- Northeasterly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
North Iceland
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, increasing gale 8 to storm 10, occasionally violent storm 11 in far southeast.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough becoming very rough or high, but becoming high or very high in southeast, occasionally phenomenal in far southeast.
- Weather
- Sleet and snow at times, but occasional rain in southeast.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor, occasionally good at first. Light or moderate icing in north and northwest with temperatures ms03 to ms06 gradually extending south in far west to 68 north, but severe or very severe in far north and northwest with temperatures ms07 to ms10.
Norwegian Basin
- Storm warning
-
Issued:
At 140000UTC, low 57 north 27 west 959 expected 66 north 11 west 942 by 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach hurricane force 12 within 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle until 141400UTC. Winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 within 50 and 200 miles of the centre in southern and southeastern quadrants and 50 and 100 miles of the centre in the western quadrant becoming by 141500UTC within 50 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle, until 150200UTC. Winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 between 150 and 250 miles of the centre in the northwestern quadrant from 141500UTC until 150000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 within 300 miles of the centre in all quadrants, but exntending to within 350 miles of the centre in the southern quadrant by 150000UTC. Winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 between 300 and 450 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant until 141500UTC. Southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 02 east and 06 east in Norwegian Basin from 141600UTC until 142300UTC. Lastly northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of north Iceland from 150300UTC.
- Wind
- Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, increasing gale 8 to storm 10, then decreasing 6 to gale 8 again later in southeast.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough becoming high, but occasionally very high in north and west.
- Weather
- Rain at times, then squally showers in west and also later in east.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, becoming moderate or poor.
Outlook for the following 24 hours
Storms expected in north Iceland and Norwegian Basin with severe gales Faeroes and Southeast Iceland. Gales expected in Bailey, West Northern Section, West Central Section and Denmark Strait.
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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