Coast and sea
The general synopsis for UK
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New lows expected 70 north 14 west 960 and 63 north 36 west 981 by same time. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity
Issued at: .
For the period to .
High seas forecast and storm warnings map
Sole
- Wind
- Southwesterly veering westerly 6 to gale 8, veering northwesterly 5 or 6 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain then squally showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
Shannon
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
- Wind
- Westerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in north, then veering northwesterly 6 to gale 8.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Rockall
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
- Wind
- Westerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in south, then veering northwesterly 6 to gale 8.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Bailey
- Wind
- Southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9 at first in southeast, otherwise northwesterly 4 to 6 increasing 7 to severe gale 9.
- Sea state
- High, occasionally very rough in north.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Faeroes
- Wind
- In southeast, southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9 veering westerly 5 to 7. in northwest, cyclonic mainly westerly 4 to 6, becoming northwesterly 6 to gale 8 later in south.
- Sea state
- In southeast, very rough or high. in northwest, very rough or high in south, rough or very rough in north.
- Weather
- In southeast, squally wintry showers. in northwest, wintry showers.
- Visibility
- In southeast, moderate or poor, occasionally good. in northwest, moderate or good, occasionally poor.
Southeast Iceland
- Wind
- Cyclonic mainly westerly 4 to 6, becoming northwesterly 6 to gale 8 later in south.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high in south, rough or very rough in north.
- Weather
- Wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
East Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
- Wind
- Westerly or northwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in far south and 6 at first elsewhere, then decreasing 3 to 5 later in northwest and 6 later in south and southwest.
- Sea state
- Mainly very rough or high, but occasionally very high at first in far south and becoming rough in far north.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers, occasionally thundery at first in south.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor, but becoming good at times in far north.
West Northern Section
In area to the north of 61 north
- Wind
- Westerly 4 to 6 becoming cyclonic 3 to 5.
- Sea state
- Mainly moderate or rough, but very rough in southeast and slight in far northwest.
- Weather
- Sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Occasional light icing at first in far northwest.
In area to the south of 61 north
- Wind
- Westerly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in northwest, and also at first in far south, backing southwesterly 3 to 5 later in southwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, becoming rough later in southwest.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers, but becoming fair later in southwest.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor, but becoming good later in southwest.
East Central Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
- Wind
- Westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in north, but mainly severe gale 9 or storm 10 at first in far north and far northeast, then backing westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6 later, but increasing 7 for a time later in far southwest.
- Sea state
- High or very high at first in north, otherwise very rough or high.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers, thundery at first in north, then rain later in southwest.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor.
West Central Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
In area to the south of 53 north
- Wind
- Westerly, becoming cyclonic then southwesterly, 6 to gale 8 at first in northeast, otherwise 4 or 5, but then increasing 6 to gale 8 again.
- Sea state
- High at first in northeast, otherwise rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers at first in north, otherwise rain or drizzle at times, with snow for a time in north.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good at first in south, otherwise moderate or poor, occasionally very poor in north.
In area to the north of 53 north
- Wind
- Westerly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in north and northeast, then backing southwesterly 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 later.
- Sea state
- High becoming very rough, then becoming rough later.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers, then rain or snow.
- Visibility
- Poor or very poor becoming moderate to very poor, then occasionally good later.
Denmark Strait
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
In area to the west of 24 west
- Wind
- Westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6 becoming cyclonic 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in far east.
- Sea state
- Mainly moderate or rough, but occasionally very rough in east.
- Weather
- Snow at times, mainly in east.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally very poor in east. Light or moderate icing at times in east, mainly near the ice, with temperatures ms02 or ms03.
In area to the east of 24 west
- Wind
- Northerly or northwesterly mainly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, but 7 to severe gale 9 in far south.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Snow.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor. Light or moderate icing except in far south, with temperatures ms02 or ms03, but severe icing near the ice, with temperatures ms04 to ms06.
North Iceland
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 121200UTC, low 67 north 12 west 953 losing its identity by 131200UTC. New low expected 70 north 14 west 960 by same time. Northerly winds will continue to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in that part of Denmark Strait that lies both east of 24 west and north of 68 north, and also in that part of sea area north Iceland that lies both north of 69 north and west of 17 west. Low 56 north 43 west 990 moving rapidly east-southeastwards and losing its identity by 131200UTC. Westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130000UTC in that part of West Central Section that lies both north of 54 north and between 30 west and 36 west. Also, westerly winds will reach storm force 10 at times until 130300UTC in that part of East Central Section that lies both north of 53 north and east of 23 west, until 122300UTC in that part of East Northern Section that lies both south of 56 north and between 19 west and 24 west, in the far south of Rockall between 122200UTC and 130400UTC and in the far north of Shannon between 122200UTC and 130400UTC.
In northwest - mainly over the ice
- Wind
- Northerly or northeasterly gale 8 to storm 10, increasing violent storm 11 at times.
- Sea state
- Slight or moderate.
- Weather
- Snow.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor. Moderate or severe icing, with temperatures ms04 to ms07.
In the rest of the area
- Wind
- Cyclonic 4 to 6, occasionally 7 near the ice, then becoming northeasterly 6 to gale 8 in north.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, becoming high in northeast.
- Weather
- Rain or showers, wintry at times, and perhaps thundery in far southeast, and also snow at times in north and west.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.
Norwegian Basin
- Wind
- Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in southwest, and then later in east, but veering westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5 in northwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, becoming rough later in northwest.
- Weather
- Rain at first in east, otherwise squally showers, wintry and thundery at times.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good later in west.
Outlook for following 24 hours
Hurricane force winds expected in West Northern Section. Violent storm force winds expected in West Central Section and Denmark Strait. Storm force winds expected in East Northern Section and north Iceland. Severe gales expected in East Central Section and Norwegian Basin. Gales expected in Bailey and Faeroes. Risk of gales at first in the north of Rockall and the south of sea area Southeast Iceland.
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.
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