Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 051200UTC, low 62 north 30 west 1020 expected 59 north 20 west 1001 by 061200UTC. New low expected 51 north 28 west 1013 by same time

Issued at: 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 5 May 2026.

For the period 20:00 (UTC) on Tue 5 May 2026 to 20:00 (UTC) on Wed 6 May 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: North 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Shannon

Wind: North backing west 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Rockall

Wind: Northeast 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4, then cyclonic 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough later.
Weather: Showers, occasional rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate, but poor late.

Bailey

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6, then 6 to gale 8 later, perhaps severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Moderate becoming moderate or rough, then rough or very rough later in far northwest.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Moderate occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming easterly or northeasterly 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Wintry showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally very poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming easterly or northeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally very poor.

East Northern Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 at first in south, otherwise cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later in north.
Sea state: Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough, then rough or very rough later.
Weather: Rain, sleet and wintry showers in north, occasional rain or showers in south.
Visibility: Moderate or good occasionally poor in north, good occasionally moderate in south.

West Northern Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 at first in south and later in far northwest, otherwise easterly or northeasterly 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate at first in southeast and later in northwest, otherwise moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain, drizzle and fog patches in south, wintry showers in north.
Visibility: Moderate or good occasionally very poor in south, good occasionally poor in north.

East Central Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6 later in west.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers, then rain and drizzle later in west.
Visibility: Good occasionally moderate, becoming moderate occasionally poor later in west.

West Central Section

Wind: Cyclonic, becoming mainly northwesterly later, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain, drizzle and fog patches, becoming mainly fair in west.
Visibility: Moderate or good occasionally very poor, becoming good occasionally moderate in west.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 in west and northwest, otherwise northeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first, decreasing 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough becoming moderate, but slight in west and northwest.
Weather: Snow showers, becoming mainly fair later.
Visibility: Good occasionally very poor until later. Light icing at first in northeast, with temperatures ms02 to ms05.

North Iceland

Wind: Northerly, but cyclonic at first in southeast, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Snow showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing until later in northwest, with temperatures ms03 to ms06.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Westerly 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally very poor.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Severe gales are expected in Bailey and East Central Section, with a risk of gales in Faeroes. Gales are expected in Rockall, Southeast Iceland, north Iceland and Norwegian Basin.

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

The 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.