Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 230000UTC, low 55 north 40 west 983 expected 56 north 38 west 993 by 240000UTC. New high expected 51 north 05 west 1031 by same time. Low 39 north 07 west 1018 expected 38 north 07 west 1019 by that time.

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 23 May 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 23 May 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 24 May 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, but southwesterly 3 to 5 at first in west and northeasterly later in east.
Sea state: Moderate.
Weather: Occasional drizzle and fog patches, mainly in east..
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in east.

Shannon

Wind: South or southwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

Wind: South or southwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Wind: Cyclonic becoming south or southwest, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate becoming rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly south or southwest, 4 to 6, occasionally 3 at first.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain and fog patches at first.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6, then southwesterly 5 to 7 later, perhaps gale 8 later in north.
Sea state: Moderate, becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

East Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic, becoming mainly southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at times in south.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in west and south, and decreasing 4 at times later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate at first in north.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle, sleety at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

East Central Section

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in west.
Sea state: Rough, occasionally very rough in northwest and moderate in southeast.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, fog patches later in far south.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later in far south.

West Central Section

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly becoming cyclonic later, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in west and 4 at times in southeast.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in northwest.
Weather: Rain or wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Northeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in southwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally slight in north.
Weather: Fog banks at first near ice edge, occasional rain and drizzle developing.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first, and poor at times later.

North Iceland

In north

Wind: Variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Slight, occasionally moderate in south.
Weather: Fog banks.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

In south

Wind: Variable 3 or less at first in southeast, otherwise cyclonic, mainly northeasterly until later, 4 to 6, occasionally 3 at first, and 7 later in south.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later in south.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle, fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 3 at first.
Sea state: Mainly moderate.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle, fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

Gales expected in West Northern Section and West 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.

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.