Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 230000UTC, low 45 north 45 west 974 expected 57 north 21 west 979 by 240000UTC. Low Bailey 987 and low Norwegian Basin 991, both losing their identities by same time. New low expected 71 north 16 west by that time.

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 23 Feb 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 23 Feb 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Tue 24 Feb 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Southwesterly backing southerly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain, fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Shannon

Wind: Southwest backing south 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Very rough, occasionally high at first.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

Wind: Southwesterly 6 to gale 8 decreasing 4 or 5, then backing southerly 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough.
Weather: Squally showers then rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Wind: Cyclonic becoming southerly or southeasterly 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Northeast 4 or 5 veering southeast 5 to 7, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Showers at first, rain later.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Easterly veering southeasterly 5 to 7, decreasing 4 for a time, perhaps gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in southeast.
Weather: Showers then rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

Wind: Northerly or northwesterly 4 to 6 increasing 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later in far northwest near greenland.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in south.
Weather: Snow showers in northwest, otherwise rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor, but very poor at times in northwest. Moderate or severe icing developing in far northwest near greenland with temperatures ms05 to ms08.

East Central Section

Wind: Southerly becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in south.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, thundery at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Central Section

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7 becoming northerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Moderate or rough becoming rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers, thundery in southeast.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, but becoming northerly or northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9 in north.
Sea state: Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional sleet or snow, fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate to very poor, occasionally good in southeast. Moderate or severe icing near the ice with temperatures ms06 to ms09, but severe or very severe icing expected north of 66 north with temperatures ms09 to ms11.

North Iceland

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6 increasing 6 to gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later in north.
Sea state: Slight or moderate becoming moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later.
Weather: Occasional sleet or snow, fog patches in northwest.
Visibility: Moderate, occasionally poor or very poor. Occasional moderate or severe icing developing in north and west, mainly near the ice sheet, with temperatures ms08 to ms12.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Cyclonic becoming easterly or northeasterly 4 to 6, backing southeasterly 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in west.
Weather: Showers at first.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for following 24 hours

A risk of storms in north Iceland with severe gales expected in East Northern Section, West Northern Section and Denmark Strait. Gales are expected in all other areas.

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.