Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 030000UTC, high 50 north 34 west 1032 expected 46 north 31 west 1031 by 040000UTC. New lows moving steadily southwards, expected 61 north 11 west 1009 and 70 north 08 west 998 by same time

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 3 May 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 3 May 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 4 May 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: In west, northerly 4 to 6. in east, variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: In west, moderate or rough. in east, slight or moderate.
Weather: In west, showers. in east, thundery showers.
Visibility: In west, good, occasionally moderate. in east, good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Wind: North 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Rockall

Wind: Northeast 4 to 6, backing northwest 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Bailey

Wind: West or northwest 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough at first.
Weather: Showers later.
Visibility: Good.

Faeroes

Wind: West or northwest 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Northwesterly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

East Northern Section

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough.
Weather: Occasional drizzle, wintry showers later in far northeast.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

West Northern Section

In north

Wind: Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough at first in south.
Weather: Mainly fair.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor in far west.

In south

Wind: Westerly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough in north.
Weather: Occasional drizzle, fog patches later in far west.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later in far west.

East Central Section

Wind: Northerly or northwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first in east.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally slight in west.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

West Central Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly or southeasterly 4 or 5 later in far west.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Fair.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate in west.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Northerly or northeasterly 3 to 5, increasing 6 or 7 later in far east.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming rough later in far east.
Weather: Snow showers later in east.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor later in east. Light icing later in far northeast, with temperatures ms02 to ms04.

North Iceland

Wind: Northerly or northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in northwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in northwest.
Weather: Snow showers, but rain at first in far southeast.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor. Light or moderate icing in northwest, with temperatures ms03 to ms06.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly, veering northwesterly later, 5 to 7.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers, wintry showers later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Gales expected in Denmark Strait, north Iceland and Norwegian Basin, with a likelihood of severe gales in the northwest of north 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.

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.