Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 060000UTC, low 59 north 34 west 959 expected 63 north 30 west 951 by 070000UTC. Low 53 north 02 east losing its identity.

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 7 Mar 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: In west, westerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, backing southwesterly 4 to 6. in east, northerly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first, becoming variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: In west, rough or very rough. in east, moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first.
Weather: In west, showers. in east, fair.
Visibility: Good.

Shannon

Wind: Northwesterly 3 at first in southwest, otherwise southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later in northwest.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high for a time in northwest.
Weather: Rain later.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Rockall

Wind: Southwest 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 until later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high.
Weather: Rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Wind: South 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough at first, otherwise very rough or high.
Weather: Showers or rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, increasing severe gale 9 at times.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high.
Weather: Wintry showers, but rain or sleet at times.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, increasing severe gale 9 at times.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high.
Weather: Wintry showers, but rain or sleet at times.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026

At 060000UTC, low 59 north 34 west 959 expected 63 north 30 west 951 by 070000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 throughout within 100 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle and for a time in the eastern quadrant. Westerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 50 and 52 north in West Central Section until 061500UTC. In addition northeasterly winds close to the ice sheet in the Denmark Strait, are expected to reach storm force 10 from 060900UTC, and increase to violent storm force 11 at times between 061300UTC and 070200UTC. And finally northerly winds will reach storm 10 at times in northwest of West Northern Section from 060800UTC until 061300UTC,.

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly southerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 at times in northwest until later.
Sea state: High, occasionally very rough at first in northeast, and very high at times in northwest.
Weather: Rain or sleet and squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate to poor, occasionally good.

West Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026

At 060000UTC, low 59 north 34 west 959 expected 63 north 30 west 951 by 070000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 throughout within 100 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle and for a time in the eastern quadrant. Westerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 50 and 52 north in West Central Section until 061500UTC. In addition northeasterly winds close to the ice sheet in the Denmark Strait, are expected to reach storm force 10 from 060900UTC, and increase to violent storm force 11 at times between 061300UTC and 070200UTC. And finally northerly winds will reach storm 10 at times in northwest of West Northern Section from 060800UTC until 061300UTC,.

Wind: Cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 in east and for a short time at first in northwest, and later in northeast, decreasing 4 or 5 later in northwest.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally very high at first in east, and rough at times in northwest.
Weather: Rain and sleet at first, then squally snow showers.
Visibility: Moderate to poor, occasionally good, but very poor at times. Occasionally light icing in west and northwest.

East Central Section

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 except in south until later, veering west 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later except in southeast.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally rough in southeast.
Weather: Occasional rain, then squally sleet and snow showers.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally good in southeast and very poor at times west.

West Central Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026

At 060000UTC, low 59 north 34 west 959 expected 63 north 30 west 951 by 070000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 throughout within 100 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle and for a time in the eastern quadrant. Westerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 50 and 52 north in West Central Section until 061500UTC. In addition northeasterly winds close to the ice sheet in the Denmark Strait, are expected to reach storm force 10 from 060900UTC, and increase to violent storm force 11 at times between 061300UTC and 070200UTC. And finally northerly winds will reach storm 10 at times in northwest of West Northern Section from 060800UTC until 061300UTC,.

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly westerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first between 50 north and 52 north, decreasing 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later in west and north, but decreasing 4 at times later in east.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Rain until later in southeast, otherwise squally sleet and snow showers.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor. Occasional light icing at first in northwest.

Denmark Strait

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026

At 060000UTC, low 59 north 34 west 959 expected 63 north 30 west 951 by 070000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 throughout within 100 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle and for a time in the eastern quadrant. Westerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 50 and 52 north in West Central Section until 061500UTC. In addition northeasterly winds close to the ice sheet in the Denmark Strait, are expected to reach storm force 10 from 060900UTC, and increase to violent storm force 11 at times between 061300UTC and 070200UTC. And finally northerly winds will reach storm 10 at times in northwest of West Northern Section from 060800UTC until 061300UTC,.

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly easterly or northeasterly, 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 close to the ice edge, but increasing violent storm 11 for a time near the ice.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high in southeast, but moderate at first in east and southwest.
Weather: Sleet and snow or snow showers.
Visibility: Moderate to very poor, occasionally good at first. Light or moderate icing near the ice edge, with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe for a time later with temperatures around ms06.

North Iceland

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 6 Mar 2026

At 060000UTC, low 59 north 34 west 959 expected 63 north 30 west 951 by 070000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 throughout within 100 and 250 miles of the centre in the southeastern semicircle and for a time in the eastern quadrant. Westerly winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 50 and 52 north in West Central Section until 061500UTC. In addition northeasterly winds close to the ice sheet in the Denmark Strait, are expected to reach storm force 10 from 060900UTC, and increase to violent storm force 11 at times between 061300UTC and 070200UTC. And finally northerly winds will reach storm 10 at times in northwest of West Northern Section from 060800UTC until 061300UTC,.

In north

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 5, then cyclonic mainly easterly 7 to severe gale 9 later, perhaps storm 10 later in west near ice edge.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later.
Weather: Snow showers, then rain and sleet spreading north, but snow in west.
Visibility: Moderate to poor, but very poor at times in west, occasionally good at first. Occasional light or moderate icing later in west near ice edge with temperatures around ms03 to ms06.

In south

Wind: Southerly or southeasterly backing easterly or southeasterly for a time, 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 at first and severe gale 9 at times later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough, occasionally high in southeast.
Weather: Rain and sleet moving north.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally good at first. Occasional light icing near the ice in far northwest with temperatures around ms03.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Westerly 3 to 5, backing southerly or southwesterly, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in west and 4 in east.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming very rough or high later in west.
Weather: Rain at first in east and later in west.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first in east and later in west.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Storms expected in East Northern Section, West Northern Section, Denmark Strait and north Iceland. Severe gale expected in Southeast Iceland and gales expected in Rockall, Bailey, Faeroes, Norwegian Basin, East Central Section, and West Central Section.

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.