Coast and sea
The general synopsis for UK
At 200000UTC, low 74 north 17 west 959 expected 74 north 14 west 962 by 210000UTC. Low 42 north 56 west 1014 expected 52 north 41 west 999 by same time
Issued at: .
For the period to .
High seas forecast and storm warnings map
Sole
- Wind
- Easterly, backing northeasterly later, 3 or 4.
- Sea state
- Moderate or rough.
- Weather
- Fair.
- Visibility
- Good.
Shannon
- Wind
- East or southeast 2 to 4 becoming variable 3 or less.
- Sea state
- Moderate, becoming rough later.
- Weather
- Fair.
- Visibility
- Good.
Rockall
- Wind
- In northwest, southwesterly 4 to 6 veering westerly or northwesterly 3 to 5. in southeast, southerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4 later.
- Sea state
- In northwest, moderate at first in south, otherwise rough or very rough. in southeast, moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough later.
- Weather
- In northwest, rain for a time. in southeast, occasional rain later.
- Visibility
- In northwest, moderate or good. theast, good, occasionally moderate later.
Bailey
- Wind
- Westerly or southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in north.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain then wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
Faeroes
- Wind
- Southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough in east, very rough or high in west.
- Weather
- Rain then wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
Southeast Iceland
- Wind
- Southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in west.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Wintry showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor.
East Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
Westerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 between 60 north and 62 north in West Northern Section until 210100UTC, and also between 61 north and 63 north in the western half of East Northern Section until 201700UTC. Also, northwesterly piteraq winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in both West Northern Section and Denmark Strait, in an area that lies both west of 36 west and between 63 north and 66 north. This area will extend eastwards as westerly or southwesterly winds between 63 north and 66 north in both of these areas, with the eastern boundary being 23 west at 201200UTC but reducing to 26 west by 210000UTC and 34 west by 210800UTC. Southwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of East Northern Section until 202000UTC. Finally, northerly winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in the far northwest of sea area north Iceland, mainly over ice.
In area to the north of 60 north
- Wind
- Southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in west, decreasing 6 later in south.
- Sea state
- High or very high.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Poor, occasionally very poor. Light icing in far northwest.
In area to the south of 60 north
- Wind
- Westerly backing southwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first in north, decreasing 4 for a time in south.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high.
- Weather
- Rain at first in far southeast and also later in west, otherwise sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor.
West Northern Section
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
Westerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 between 60 north and 62 north in West Northern Section until 210100UTC, and also between 61 north and 63 north in the western half of East Northern Section until 201700UTC. Also, northwesterly piteraq winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in both West Northern Section and Denmark Strait, in an area that lies both west of 36 west and between 63 north and 66 north. This area will extend eastwards as westerly or southwesterly winds between 63 north and 66 north in both of these areas, with the eastern boundary being 23 west at 201200UTC but reducing to 26 west by 210000UTC and 34 west by 210800UTC. Southwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of East Northern Section until 202000UTC. Finally, northerly winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in the far northwest of sea area north Iceland, mainly over ice.
In area to the north of 63 north
- Wind
- Northwesterly in west but westerly or southwesterly in central and eastern areas, gale 8 to storm 10, increasing violent storm 11 at times.
- Sea state
- High or very high in east but very rough or high in west, then becoming rough later in far west.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers, mainly in east.
- Visibility
- Moderate to very poor. Severe or very severe icing in northwest but light or moderate icing elsewhere.
In area between 63 north and 60 north
- Wind
- Westerly or southwesterly gale 8 to storm 10, decreasing 6 to gale 8 later.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough later, but rough later in far west.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Poor or very poor, becoming moderate to very poor later. Light or moderate icing except in southeast.
In area to the south of 60 north
- Wind
- Westerly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in north, then backing southwesterly 4 to 6, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8 later in far south.
- Sea state
- High until later in north, otherwise rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers, then rain or snow later in south.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light icing in far northwest.
East Central Section
In southeastern half of thre area
- Wind
- Northeasterly 3 to 5 in south but variable 2 to 4 in north.
- Sea state
- Moderate at first in north, otherwise rough.
- Weather
- Occasional rain.
- Visibility
- Good, occasionally moderate.
In northwestern half of the area
- Wind
- Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5 becoming variable 3 or less, then southerly or southwesterly 4 to 6 later, increasing 7 or gale 8 later in far northwest.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough in north but rough throughout in south.
- Weather
- Rain for a time.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally poor later in far northwest.
West Central Section
- Wind
- Westerly 4 or 5 at first in north and northerly 4 or 5 at first in east, otherwise variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8 in west, and then cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9 later in north.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough in central and northern areas, but rough throughout in south.
- Weather
- Rain at first in southeast and sleet or snow showers at first in north, otherwise fair, but then rain or snow in west and north.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in west and north and poor in east and south.
Denmark Strait
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
Westerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 between 60 north and 62 north in West Northern Section until 210100UTC, and also between 61 north and 63 north in the western half of East Northern Section until 201700UTC. Also, northwesterly piteraq winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in both West Northern Section and Denmark Strait, in an area that lies both west of 36 west and between 63 north and 66 north. This area will extend eastwards as westerly or southwesterly winds between 63 north and 66 north in both of these areas, with the eastern boundary being 23 west at 201200UTC but reducing to 26 west by 210000UTC and 34 west by 210800UTC. Southwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of East Northern Section until 202000UTC. Finally, northerly winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in the far northwest of sea area north Iceland, mainly over ice.
In area to the south of 66 north
- Wind
- Northwesterly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 throughout in far west, but elsewhere westerly or southwesterly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, decreasing 7 to severe gale 9 later.
- Sea state
- High or very high, becoming very rough or high later.
- Weather
- Squally sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Poor or very poor, occasionally moderate later. Light or moderate icing, with temperatures ms02 to ms05, but severe or very severe icing near the ice, with temperatures ms06 to ms09.
In area to the north of 66 north
- Wind
- Southerly or southwesterly becoming cyclonic, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 until later in east.
- Sea state
- Rough or very rough.
- Weather
- Snow at times.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing, with temperatures ms03 to ms06, but occasionally severe icing at first near the ice, with temperatures ms07 or ms08.
North Iceland
- High seas storm warning
-
Issued:
Westerly or southwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 between 60 north and 62 north in West Northern Section until 210100UTC, and also between 61 north and 63 north in the western half of East Northern Section until 201700UTC. Also, northwesterly piteraq winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in both West Northern Section and Denmark Strait, in an area that lies both west of 36 west and between 63 north and 66 north. This area will extend eastwards as westerly or southwesterly winds between 63 north and 66 north in both of these areas, with the eastern boundary being 23 west at 201200UTC but reducing to 26 west by 210000UTC and 34 west by 210800UTC. Southwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 in the far northwest of East Northern Section until 202000UTC. Finally, northerly winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 throughout the period in the far northwest of sea area north Iceland, mainly over ice.
In area to the north of 71 north
- Wind
- Cyclonic mainly 7 to severe gale 9, but northerly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 in northwest.
- Sea state
- Very rough or high, occasionally rough.
- Weather
- Snow at times.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing, with temperatures ms02 to ms05, but severe or very severe icing in northwest near the ice, with temperatures ms06 to ms09.
In area to the south of 71 north
- Wind
- Southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in southwest, becoming cyclonic 5 to 7 later in northwest.
- Sea state
- Mainly very rough or high, but rough or very rough near Iceland.
- Weather
- Rain at first in far southeast, otherwise squally sleet or snow showers.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing in northwest, with temperatures ms03 to ms06.
Norwegian Basin
- Wind
- Southerly or southwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in east, veering westerly or southwesterly 5 to 7 in west, and later also in east.
- Sea state
- Very rough in northwest, rough or very rough in southeast.
- Weather
- Mainly fair at first in south and east, otherwise rain moving southeastwards, then squally sleet or snow showers in west and north.
- Visibility
- Moderate or good, becoming poor for a time, then occasionally very poor later in west and north.
Outlook for following 24 hours
Violent storm force winds expected in Bailey, Faeroes, Southeast Iceland, East Northern Section, West Northern Section and north Iceland. Storm force winds expected in Norwegian Basin. Severe gales expected in Rockall, East Central Section, West Central Section and Denmark Strait.
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.