Coast and Sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 100000UTC, low 42 north 20 west 1013 expected 40 north 19 west 1011 by 110000UTC. High 53 north 05 east 1019 dissipating by same time. New high 55 north 18 west 1029 expected by that time. at 100000UTC, low 44 north 55 west 1002 expected 51 north 46 west 1003 by 110000UTC.

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Jul 2026.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Jul 2026 to 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 11 Jul 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Northerly or northeasterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later in west.
Sea state: Moderate, rough at times later in west.
Weather: Mainly fair.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Wind: North or northeast 4 to 6, occasionally 3 at first.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough later in southwest.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Rockall

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming northerly or northeasterly 4 to 6, except in northwest.
Sea state: Moderate, but occasionally rough at first in northwest.
Weather: Occasional rain, fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Bailey

Wind: South or southwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Faeroes

Wind: South or southwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Sea state: Mainly moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain and fog patches.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 at first.
Sea state: Rough. becoming moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

East Northern Section

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 in northwest, becoming variable 3 or less in far southeast.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

West Northern Section

Wind: Southwesterly 4 to 6, but cyclonic 3 to 5 at times in far northwest, and backing southeasterly later in far southwest.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough later in north.
Weather: Rain or drizzle at times, fog patches at first in southwest and later elsewhere.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.

East Central Section

In southeastern half of the area

Wind: Variable 3 or less at first in far southeast, otherwise northerly or northeasterly 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain or showers, perhaps thundery.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

In northwestern half of the area

Wind: Variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Moderate or rough becoming slight or moderate.
Weather: Mainly fair.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

West Central Section

Wind: Variable 3 or less at first in southeast, otherwise westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, backing southeasterly 4 to 6, but increasing 6 or 7 later in west.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally slight later in east, but becoming mainly rough later in west.
Weather: Fog patches in the north, rain, perhaps thundery developing in southwest and later in west, mainly fair in southeast.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor in north and poor at times later in west.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, increasing 5 to 7 later in east, perhaps gale 8 later in far northeast.
Sea state: Mainly moderate.
Weather: Drizzle and fog banks except in southeast, occasional rain later.
Visibility: Moderate or good in southeast, but elsewhere moderate to very poor.

North Iceland

In area to the north of 70 north

Wind: Variable becoming cyclonic 2 to 4, then southerly or southwesterly 5 to 7 later, occasionally gale 8 later in southwest.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming moderate or rough later.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle, fog banks.
Visibility: Moderate to very poor, occasionally good in east.

In area to the south of 70 north

Wind: Cyclonic 2 to 4 at first in west, otherwise mainly southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later west.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally slight near Iceland in southwest.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor in west and north.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 3 to 5, veering westerly or northwesterly 2 to 4 in south.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough in west and slight in far east near norway.
Weather: Rain or drizzle, with fog patches at first in north, then showers later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first in north.

Outlook for the following 24 hours

Gales expected in West Northern Section, Denmark Strait and north Iceland.

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.