Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 170000UTC, low 59 north 21 west 992 expected 59 north 18 west 991 by 180000UTC. New highs expected 55 north 47 west 1021 and 77 north 18 west 1021 by same time

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Wed 17 Jun 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Wed 17 Jun 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Thu 18 Jun 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough later.
Weather: Occasional rain and fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Shannon

Wind: Southwest, becoming cyclonic later, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers, then rain.
Visibility: Good, becoming moderate or poor.

Rockall

Wind: South or southwest 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Bailey

Wind: South or southwest 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Faeroes

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6, veering southwest 3 to 5.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Easterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 near Iceland, veering southeasterly 3 to 5 in south.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, but rough or very rough in far west.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

In northwest

Wind: Northerly or northeasterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough, occasionally very rough at first.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

In southeast

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough, occasionally moderate.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

West Northern Section

Wind: Northerly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in far west.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Fog patches developing in far west.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in far west.

East Central Section

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first in north and east, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in south.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor in southeast.

West Central Section

Wind: Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in far north.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough in north.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Northeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 near Iceland.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough in far south.
Weather: Fog patches and occasional sleet in northwest.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in northwest.

North Iceland

In north

Wind: Variable, becoming northerly or northeasterly later, 2 to 4.
Sea state: Slight, occasionally moderate.
Weather: Occasional drizzle and fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

In south

Wind: Easterly or northeasterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first in south, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in far southeast.
Sea state: Slight or moderate in north, moderate or rough in south.
Weather: Rain at times in south, fog patches in far northwest.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor in south, and occasionally very poor in far northwest.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 in west, veering southwesterly later in south.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally slight in east.
Weather: Rain at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

Gales expected in the far west of Southeast Iceland, East Northern Section and Denmark Strait.

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.