Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 220000UTC, low 62 north 37 west 979 expected 63 north 40 west 981 by 230000UTC. Low 51 north 57 west 999 expected 57 north 42 west 995 by same time. Low 47 north 04 west 993 expected 49 north 07 west 1001 by that time. at 220000UTC, high 63 north 12 east 1027 expected 63 north 18 east 1034 by 230000UTC

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 22 Dec 2025.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 22 Dec 2025 to 08:00 (UTC) on Tue 23 Dec 2025.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Northwesterly, becoming cyclonic in east, 5 to 7.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming north or northeast 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Rockall

Wind: East or southeast 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Bailey

Wind: Southeast 4 to 6, veering west 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Faeroes

Wind: Southeast, veering south later, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Southeasterly, veering southwesterly later, 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

East Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, becoming westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, then backing southwesterly 5 to 7 later in west.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Mon 22 Dec 2025

At 220000UTC, low 62 north 37 west 979 expected 63 north 40 west 981 by 230000UTC. Winds are expected to reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southeastern quadrant from 221800UTC until 222300UTC.

In north

Wind: Cyclonic, becoming southerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time in southwest.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Rain or wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

In south

Wind: Westerly 6 to gale 8, backing southerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, then becoming cyclonic 5 to 7 later in west.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Rain or wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

East Central Section

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in west.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Rain at times in east.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor in east.

West Central Section

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, backing southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle in northwest.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor in northwest.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly, becoming cyclonic, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in southwest.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle, wintry showers later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

North Iceland

Wind: Southerly or southeasterly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Fog banks, then occasional rain or drizzle in south and east.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor. Occasional light icing near ice edge, with temperatures ms02 to ms04.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Easterly or southeasterly, veering southerly or southwesterly later, 4 or 5, occasionally 6 in west.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle in west.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor in west.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Severe gales expected in both northern sections, West Central Section and Denmark Strait. Gales expected in Southeast Iceland, East Central Section, north Iceland and Norwegian Basin.

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.