Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 230000UTC, low Wight 997 expected Biscay 1008 by 240000UTC. Low 63 north 30 west 998 losing its identity. Low 67 north 25 west 998 expected 66 north 02 west 989 by same time. Low 76 north 03 west 968 expected svalbard 981 by that time. at 230000UTC, low 51 north 55 west 980 expected 58 north 55 west 975 by 240000UTC. High 37 north 28 west 1034 expected 37 north 26 west 1033 by same time

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 23 Mar 2025.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 23 Mar 2025 to 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 24 Mar 2025.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: North or northwest 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6.
Sea state: Very rough becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Wind: North or northwest 6 to gale 8, decreasing 3 to 5.
Sea state: Very rough at first in southeast, otherwise moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

Wind: North or northwest backing southwest, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Bailey

Wind: Southwest 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough occasionally moderate.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Southwesterly 3 or 4, increasing 5 to 7, veering westerly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Rough occasionally moderate.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Southwesterly 5 to 7, veering westerly 4 to 6, then northeasterly.
Sea state: Rough occasionally moderate.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming easterly or northeasterly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough later in west.
Weather: Rain or drizzle.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Wind: Southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first, becoming cyclonic later in north.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or drizzle.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

Wind: Easterly or northeasterly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, but northwesterly 3 or 4 at first in far northwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally slight at first in northwest and very rough later in west.
Weather: Fair at first in north, otherwise rain with sleet, becoming fair later in south.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor. Occasional light or moderate icing developing later in northwest.

Wind: Southerly or southeasterly 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic, then southwesterly, 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Moderate or rough becoming rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or drizzle with fog banks, becoming mainly fair later.
Visibility: Moderate to very poor, becoming good later.

East Central Section

Wind: Northwesterly 4 to 6 at first in southeast, otherwise southerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, veering westerly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first in southeast.
Weather: Fair at first in east, otherwise occasional rain, fog patches later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor later.

West Central Section

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in northwest, decreasing 3 or 4 in southeast.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate at first in northeast and high later in far northwest.
Weather: Rain or drizzle with fog banks, becoming mainly fair later.
Visibility: Moderate to very poor, becoming good later.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6 at first in east, otherwise variable 4 or less, becoming northeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later in southwest.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, occasionally rough at first in far east and later in far southwest.
Weather: Occasional snow at first in east.
Visibility: Good, occasionally very poor at first in east. Light or moderate icing at first in northeast and later in southwest, with temperatures ms03 to ms06.

North Iceland

Wind: Northwesterly 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6, veering northerly or northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9 later in south.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, but moderate in northwest.
Weather: Occasional snow.
Visibility: Good, occasionally very poor. Severe or very severe icing at first in northeast with temperatures ms08 to ms11, then light or moderate icing later in south, with temperatures ms04 to ms07.

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in west.
Weather: Rain and snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing in northwest, with temperatures ms02 to ms05.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Variable 3 or less at first in west, otherwise cyclonic 5 to 7, becoming southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, veering westerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming moderate for a time in southeast.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Severe gales are expected in West Northern Section, north Iceland and Norwegian Basin. Gales are expected in East Northern Section and Denmark Strait, with gales also possible in 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.