Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 260000UTC, low 67 north 16 west 978 slow-moving, filling 986 by 270000UTC. Low 57 north 34 west 987 expected 62 north 20 west 987 by same time. New low expected 42 north 46 west 1010 by that time. at 260000UTC, high 46 north 11 west 1025 dissipating

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 26 Sep 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 26 Sep 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 27 Sep 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Southwest 3 to 5, backing south 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Rough, occasionally moderate later.
Weather: Thundery showers later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor later.

Shannon

Wind: Southwest 4 to 6, backing south 6 or 7, veering southwest 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

Wind: Southwest 4 to 6, backing south 6 to gale 8, veering southwest 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

Wind: South or southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Southwest 5 to 7 backing south 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Southwesterly 6 to gale 8, becoming cyclonic 4 to 6.
Sea state: Very rough, becoming rough, then moderate near Icelandic coast.
Weather: Thundery showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, becoming variable 2 to 4 in northeast and westerly 6 or 7 later in south.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate near Iceland.
Weather: Occasional rain or squally showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 in northwest, otherwise cyclonic 6 to gale 8, becoming westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6 in south.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate in northwest.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

East Central Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4 at first in far southeast, otherwise southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in north, veering westerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 in north.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high in northwest and moderate in southeast.
Weather: Showers, thundery at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor at first.

West Central Section

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in north, becoming variable 2 to 4 in south, then backing southwesterly 4 to 6 later in north.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first in northeast.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good.

Denmark Strait

In west of area

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, but northeasterly 6 to gale 8 in southeast.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, but very rough in southeast.
Weather: Showers at first.
Visibility: Good.

In east of area

Wind: Northerly or northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally rough in northwest.
Weather: Rain or sleet in south, snow at times in north.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor in north.

North Iceland

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, but northerly or northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9 in northwest.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high in west.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, but sleet or snow in northwest and fog patches in northeast.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in north. Occasional light icing in far north with temperatures around ms03.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate later near Norwegian coast.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, perhaps thundery.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

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

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.