Coast and sea
The general synopsis for UK
At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity
Issued at: .
For the period to .
High seas forecast and storm warnings map
Sole
- Wind
- Southwest 5 to 7, increasing 7 or gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Occasional rain.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
Shannon
- Wind
- Southwest 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally very high later in northwest.
- Weather
- Rain or squally showers.
- Visibility
- Poor.
Rockall
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
- Wind
- Southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 later.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, becoming high or very high later.
- Weather
- Rain or squally showers, wintry later.
- Visibility
- Moderate, occasionally poor.
Bailey
- Wind
- In south, southwesterly, becoming cyclonic later, 7 to severe gale 9. in north, southwesterly becoming cyclonic, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
- Sea state
- In south, very rough or high, becoming high or very high later. in north, very rough or high.
- Weather
- In south, rain or squally showers, wintry later. in north, showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Faeroes
- Wind
- Southwest 6 to gale 8.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain or squally showers, wintry later.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Southeast Iceland
- Wind
- Southwesterly 6 to gale 8, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally poor.
East Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
In north
- Wind
- Cyclonic 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in far south and far west, becoming northwesterly 6 to gale 8 later.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, occasionally high in far south.
- Weather
- Good, occasionally poor but very poor later in northwest.
In south
- Wind
- Cyclonic, becoming westerly or northwesterly later, 6 to gale 8 in northwest and gale 8 to storm 10 in south and east, occasionally violent storm 11 later in far southwest.
- Sea state
- High or very high, occasionally very rough in far north.
- Weather
- Squally wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
West Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
In north
- Wind
- Northerly or northeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in northeast, backing northwesterly, then westerly later, 4 to 6, increasing 7 at times in east.
- Sea state
- Moderate or rough in northwest, otherwise rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Occasional light icing in far northwest.
In south
- Wind
- Cyclonic 5 to 7 in far north and northeast, otherwise westerly or northwesterly gale 8 to storm 10, occasionally violent storm 11 in far southeast, decreasing 6 to gale 8 later, occasionally severe gale 9 later in far southwest, perhaps storm 10 later in far southwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally very high at first in southeast.
- Weather
- Squally sleet and snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor. Light icing until later in west, occasionally moderate at first in far west.
East Central Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
- Wind
- Westerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally 6 in south and storm 10 later in north.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally rough in south and very high in north.
- Weather
- Occasional rain or drizzle, then squally wintry showers in north and also later in south but becoming mainly fair later in far south.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally good in south and very poor in north, becoming good later in far south.
West Central Section
In north
- Wind
- Westerly 7 to severe gale 9, decreasing 6 at times later in southwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally very high in far northeast.
- Weather
- Squally sleet and snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor. Occasional light icing in northwest.
In south
- Wind
- Westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, backing westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6 later in southwest.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, occasionally high in north and east.
- Weather
- Rain or drizzle at first in southeast, otherwise wintry showers, squally at times, becoming mainly fair in south, then rain later in southwest.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor in south and very poor in north.
Denmark Strait
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
In area east of 24 west
- Wind
- Northerly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, occasionally gale 8 in south.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high occasionally rough.
- Weather
- Snow.
- Visibility
- Poor or very poor, occasionally moderate. Light or moderate icing with temperatures ms03 to ms05, but severe in the north with temperatures around ms06.
In area west of 24 west
- Wind
- Northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9 at first in far southeast, otherwise northerly or northwesterly, backing westerly later in west, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in east.
- Sea state
- Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in east.
- Weather
- Snow at times in east.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in east. Occasional light icing in east with temperatures around ms03.
North Iceland
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
- Wind
- Northerly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 throughout near the ice edge, but elsewhere cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally 6 in east, decreasing 5 to 7, then decreasing 4 at times later in east.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough, occasionally high in far southeast and far southwest.
- Weather
- Occasional rain, sleet and snow, fog patches in east.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor. Light or moderate icing near the ice edge with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe with temperatures around ms06.
Norwegian Basin
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
At 111200UTC, low 58 north 35 west 971 losing its identity. Westerly or southwesterly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in area enclosed south of 57 north and east of 37 west in West Northern Section until 120400UTC, and south of 58 north in East Northern Section clearing to the east by 121600UTC, and then north of 56 north in Rockall from 121200UTC. Westerly or northwesterly winds are also expected to reach storm force 10 south of 58 north in the southwestern quarter of West Northern Section from 120400UTC and until 121000UTC, and then storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 south of 58 north in the southeastern quarter of West Northern Section from 120600UTC and until 121700UTC. This area then extends eastwards into the far southwest of East Northern Section and north of 53 north in East Central Section both from 120900UTC, reaching storm force 10 in East Central Section and storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 in the far southwest of East Northern Section. At 111200UTC, low 64 north 10 west 960 expected 68 north 14 west 953 by 121200UTC. Northerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 to violent storm force 11 throughout in area enclosed north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait and near the ice north of 67 north in north Iceland. Finally, southerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 in Norwegian Basin between 04 and 07 east from 120600UTC and until 121800UTC.
- Wind
- Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6 in far northwest, but increasing gale 8 or severe gale 9 in east and far south except in far northeast, occasionally storm 10 in east except in far northeast.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Squally showers, rain for a time.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
Outlook for following 24 hours
Violent storms expected in Denmark Strait with storms in Shannon, Rockall, East Central Section and north Iceland. Severe gales expected in Bailey, East Northern Section, West Northern Section, West Central Section and Norwegian Basin with gales in all other areas.
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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