Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 170000UTC, low 62 north 18 west 975 expected 62 north 03 west 981 by 180000UTC. New lows expected 66 north 19 west 985 and south Greenland 987 by same time. High south Greenland 1005 dissipating by that time. at 170000UTC, low 58 north 61 west 995 expected 63 north 35 west 984 by 180000UTC. High 44 north 26 west 1035 expected 41 north 24 west 1029 by same time. New high expected 75 north 10 west 1001 by that time

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Thu 17 Sep 2026.

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

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: West or northwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Shannon

Wind: Northwest backing southwest, 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough, occasionally high in north.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor later.

Rockall

Wind: West or southwest 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Wind: Cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, becoming southwest 4 to 6.
Sea state: Very rough or high, becoming rough or very rough later.
Weather: Rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Southwest 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8, then west 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate east of faeroe isles, becoming high for a time in southeast.
Weather: Rain or squally showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, increasing 6 or 7 for a time in south.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate later near Icelandic coast.
Weather: Rain, showers later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in east, becoming cyclonic, mainly southwesterly, 4 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8 later in south.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally rough in northwest, becoming rough or very rough, then moderate later in north.
Weather: Fair at first in southwest, otherwise occasional rain or showers, thundery later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

In northern half of the area

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first in south.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, but very rough at first in southeast.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

In southern half of the area

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly, becoming cyclonic, mainly westerly, 5 to 7, increasing gale 8 later in southwest.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in east.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, fog patches for a time in south.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor, but very poor in south.

East Central Section

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 5 to 7, but gale 8 at first in northeast, backing southwesterly 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 later except in southeast.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, but moderate in southwest and high at first in northeast.
Weather: Showers in south, rain later in north.
Visibility: Good, but moderate or poor later in north.

West Central Section

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough in north, moderate or rough in south, occasionally slight at first in far south.
Weather: Fair at first in northeast, otherwise occasional rain or showers, perhaps thundery, fog patches.
Visibility: Good at first in northeast, otherwise moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 at first in far northeast and far southwest, otherwise cyclonic, becoming northerly or northeasterly near greenland, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later in northeast.
Sea state: Slight at first in far northeast, otherwise moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in northwest.
Weather: Fair at first in southwest, otherwise rain at times, but sleet in northeast and fog patches in southeast.
Visibility: Good at first in southwest, otherwise moderate or poor, occasionally very poor in southeast.

North Iceland

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 at first in north, otherwise cyclonic, mainly easterly or southeasterly, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first in southeast.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally slight in north and very rough in far southeast.
Weather: Fair in northeast, otherwise rain or drizzle at times, fog banks developing in south.
Visibility: Good in northeast, otherwise moderate or poor, occasionally very poor.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 at first in far northeast, otherwise cyclonic 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in far southwest.
Weather: Fair in far northeast, otherwise rain, then squally showers.
Visibility: Good in far northeast, otherwise moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

Severe gales are expected in Bailey, East Northern Section and West Northern Section, with gales expected in Rockall, Faeroes, Southeast Iceland, East Central Section, West Central Section and Denmark Strait. Gales are also possible in Shannon.

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.