Coast and sea
The general synopsis for UK
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. New lows expected 61 north 41 west 964 and 71 north 06 west 988 by that time. at 271200UTC, high 45 north 33 west 1038 expected 47 north 17 west 1041 by 281200UTC
Issued at: .
For the period to .
High seas forecast and storm warnings map
Sole
- Wind
- Northerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in west.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Rain at first.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally moderate.
Shannon
- Wind
- Northwest 5 to 7, backing 4 to 6 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Showers.
- Visibility
- Good.
Rockall
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
- Wind
- West veering northwest, 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 at first, then backing west or southwest 4 to 6 later.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good.
Bailey
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
- Wind
- West veering northwest, 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 at first, then backing west or southwest 4 to 6 later.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good.
Faeroes
- Wind
- Southwest, veering west or northwest, 7 to severe gale 9, decreasing 4 to 6 later.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Southeast Iceland
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
- Wind
- Cyclonic 5 to 7, becoming northerly or northwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time in north, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6 later.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming rough or very rough later.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers until later.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good.
East Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
- Wind
- Westerly or northwesterly, backing southerly or southwesterly, but backing southeasterly in far north, 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in east and later in west.
- Sea state
- Very high at first in east, otherwise very rough or high, becoming moderate or rough for a time in north.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers, rain later.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good. Occasional light icing near iceland coast.
West Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
In north of area
- Wind
- Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming easterly or southeasterly 7 to severe gale 9, then becoming cyclonic gale 8 to storm 10, then becoming northeasterly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 later in far northwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high at first in east, otherwise moderate or rough, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Snow showers, then rain, sleet or snow, squally snow showers later in south.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor, occasionally good. Light or moderate icing developing later within 50 miles of greenland coast, occasionally severe icing later near ice edge.
In south of area
- Wind
- Westerly 5 or 6, backing southerly or southwesterly gale 8 to storm 10, occasionally violent storm 11 later in west.
- Sea state
- High at first in east, otherwise very rough, becoming high or very high later.
- Weather
- Rain, squally wintry showers later.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good.
East Central Section
In north of area
- Wind
- Westerly 5 to 7, backing southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally rough in far south.
- Weather
- Showers, wintry in north, rain later in west.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
In south of area
- Wind
- Northerly 4 to 6 at first in east, otherwise variable 2 to 4, becoming southwest 5 to 7 later except in far southeast.
- Sea state
- Rough, occasionally very rough in north.
- Weather
- Mainly fair.
- Visibility
- Good.
West Central Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
- Wind
- Variable 2 to 4 at first in far southeast, otherwise southerly or southwesterly, 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 at times in northwest.
- Sea state
- Rough in far south, otherwise very rough becoming high, occasionally very high in far northwest.
- Weather
- Fair in southeast, otherwise rain or showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
Denmark Strait
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 271200UTC, low 64 north 14 west 975 expected 64 north 03 east 991 by 281200UTC westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Rockall until 280000UTC, in East Northern Section east of 20 west until 280600UTC, and in sea area Bailey until 280900UTC. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in sea area Southeast Iceland from 280300UTC until 280900UTC. Low 51 north 59 west 990 expected 58 north 49 west 962 by same time. Southerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in northwestern West Central Section until 281800UTC. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section until 281500UTC. However, southwesterly winds will then reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in southern East Northern Section from 281500UTC. Northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 in far northwest East Northern Section fm 281200UTC. In addition, southerly or southeasterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in East Northern Section west of 21 west from 280900UTC, and southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in far northwest East Central Section from 281200UTC, until 281800UTC. Finally, easterly or northeasterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in Denmark Strait from 281000UTC, west of 24 west.
In area east of 24 west
- Wind
- Northerly 7 to severe gale 9, decreasing 5 or 6, then becoming variable 2 to 4 later, then becoming easterly 5 to 7 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, becoming moderate or rough later.
- Weather
- Snow at first.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor, becoming good later. Widespread moderate icing at first with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe at first in north with temperatures ms06 to ms08. Occasional light or moderate icing later near ice edge with temperatures ms02 to ms04.
In area west of 24 west
- Wind
- Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6, then becoming easterly or northeasterly gale 8 to storm 10 later, occasionally violent storm 11 later near ice edge.
- Sea state
- Moderate or rough, becoming very rough or high later in south.
- Weather
- Snow or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor, occasionally good at first. Light or moderate icing developing later within 50 miles of greenland coast, with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe icing later near ice edge with temperatures ms06 to ms08.
North Iceland
- Wind
- Cyclonic 5 to 7 at first in far southeast, otherwise northerly or northeasterly, backing northwesterly later in south, 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 later near iceland coast, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in south and later in north.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in south.
- Weather
- Snow or snow showers, but occasional rain or wintry showers at first in far south.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Widespread light or moderate icing in north and west with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe icing in far north and far west with temperatures ms06 to ms09.
Norwegian Basin
- Wind
- Southwest 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain then squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor. Very rough or high. Squally wintry showers. good occasionally poor.
Outlook for following 24 hours
Violent storms expected in West Northern Section and Denmark Strait. Storms expected in East Northern Section. Severe gales expected in all other areas except in sea area Shannon where gales are expected.
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.