Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings


The general synopsis for UK

At 081200UTC, low 53 north 49 west 993 expected 61 north 33 west 987 by 091200UTC. High 47 north 22 west 1028 expected 45 north 12 west 1025 by same time. Low 74 north 20 west 990 expected 74 north 09 west 988 by that time. New low expected 65 north 37 west 987 by 091200UTC

Issued at: .

For the period to .

High seas forecast and storm warnings map


Sole

Wind
In west, northwesterly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southwesterly 5 to 7 later. in east, northwesterly 4 to 6, backing westerly 3 or 4 later.
Sea state
In west, moderate or rough. in east, moderate or rough.
Weather
In west, showers, rain later in west. in east, showers.
Visibility
In west, good, occasionally poor later in west. in east, good.

Shannon

Wind
Northwest 4 to 6, backing southwest 5 to 7 later.
Sea state
Moderate or rough.
Weather
Showers, rain later.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate later.

Rockall

Wind
Northwest 4 to 6, backing southwest 5 to 7 later.
Sea state
Rough or very rough becoming moderate or rough.
Weather
Showers, rain later.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate later.

Bailey

Wind
Northwest backing southwest later, 4 to 6.
Sea state
Moderate or rough, becoming moderate.
Weather
Showers.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate later.

Faeroes

Wind
Northerly backing southwesterly, 4 to 6.
Sea state
Moderate or rough becoming moderate occasionally slight.
Weather
Showers.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate later.

Southeast Iceland

Wind
Southwesterly 4 to 6.
Sea state
Moderate occasionally slight.
Weather
Showers.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate later.

East Northern Section

Wind
Westerly or southwesterly becoming cyclonic 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in south.
Sea state
Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in south.
Weather
Showers, rain and drizzle later, fog patches later in northwest.
Visibility
Good occasionally moderate, becoming moderate occasionally poor, but very poor later in northwest.

West Northern Section

In northern half of area

Wind
Southwesterly becoming cyclonic 4 to 6.
Sea state
Slight at first in northwest, otherwise moderate or rough.
Weather
Occasional rain, fog patches later in northeast.
Visibility
Moderate or good occasionally very poor later in northeast.

In southern half of area

Wind
Cyclonic becoming westerly 5 to 7, increasing 6 to gale 8 later in west.
Sea state
Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later.
Weather
Rain, drizzle and fog patches, becoming mainly fair later in west.
Visibility
Moderate occasionally poor, becoming good later in west.

East Central Section

Wind
Variable 2 to 4 at first in east, otherwise southerly 6 to gale 8, veering westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6 later.
Sea state
Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later in north.
Weather
Mainly fair at first in east, otherwise rain and drizzle, fog patches for a time in northwest, showers later in west.
Visibility
Good at first in east, otherwise moderate occasionally poor, but very poor in northwest, becoming moderate occasionally good later in west.

West Central Section

Wind
Southerly or southeasterly at first in east, otherwise westerly or southwesterly, 5 to 7.
Sea state
Moderate or rough.
Weather
Rain, drizzle and fog patches, perhaps thundery in south, showers later.
Visibility
Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor, becoming good occasionally moderate later.

Denmark Strait

In area north of 70 north

Wind
Cyclonic 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in far north, becoming northeasterly 3 to 5, then variable 2 to 4 later in north.
Sea state
Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough.
Weather
Wintry showers.
Visibility
Good occasionally poor.

In rest of area

Wind
Southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in southeast, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5, then northeasterly 6 to gale 8 in northwest and west.
Sea state
Moderate or rough, becoming slight near Iceland, then rough or very rough later in northwest and west.
Weather
Fair then occasional rain, drizzle and fog patches, turning wintry in north.
Visibility
Good, becoming moderate occasionally very poor.

North Iceland

In southeast of area

Wind
Westerly or southwesterly, becoming cyclonic later in north, 4 to 6.
Sea state
Moderate, occasionally rough in north.
Weather
Occasional rain or showers later.
Visibility
Good occasionally moderate later.

In northwest of area

Wind
Cyclonic 4 to 6, but northeasterly backing northerly 6 to gale 8 in northwest.
Sea state
Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough for a time in northwest.
Weather
Occasional drizzle and fog patches, becoming wintry in far northwest.
Visibility
Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Norwegian Basin

Wind
Northwesterly 4 to 6, backing westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5 later.
Sea state
Rough becoming moderate.
Weather
Showers, thundery at first in east.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate, but poor at first in east.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

Risk of violent storms in Denmark Strait. Severe gales are expected in West Northern Section. Gales are expected in Sole, Shannon, Rockall, East Northern Section, East Central Section and north Iceland.

Unscheduled storm warnings are broadcast via Safetynet and in bulletin WONT54 EGRR available via some internet and ftpmail outlets

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.

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