Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Low 66 north 27 west 981 slow-moving losing its identity by that time. New lows expected 71 north 18 west 999 and 60 north 36 west 1003 by 110000UTC. High 45 north 54 west 1041 expected 43 north 38 west 1037 by same time

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

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

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Southerly, veering westerly, 6 to gale 8.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high.
Weather: Rain or showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

Shannon

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

Wind: South or southeast, veering southwest, gale 8 to storm 10.
Sea state: Very rough becoming high or very high.
Weather: Rain then squally showers.
Visibility: Poor occasionally moderate.

Rockall

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

Wind: South or southeast, veering southwest, gale 8 to storm 10.
Sea state: Very rough becoming high or very high.
Weather: Rain then squally showers.
Visibility: Poor occasionally moderate.

Bailey

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

Wind: Southwest, backing east or southeast, 4 to 6, increasing gale 8 to storm 10.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Wintry showers then rain.
Visibility: Moderate occasionally poor.

Faeroes

Wind: Westerly, backing southeasterly, 4 to 6, increasing 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor later.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Westerly, backing southeasterly, 4 to 6, increasing 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high.
Weather: Showers, rain later.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor later.

East Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

In north

Wind: Southerly or southwesterly, backing northeasterly, 4 to 6, increasing 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 later in east.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high.
Weather: Wintry showers, then occasional rain or sleet.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

In south

Wind: Cyclonic gale 8 to storm 10, becoming northerly or northwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally 6 in east.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally very high in east.
Weather: Occasional rain or squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally good.

West Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, but severe gale 9 or storm 10 for a time in far south, decreasing 4 or 5 in north.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high, becoming moderate in far northwest.
Weather: Squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

East Central Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic at first in far north, otherwise westerly or northwesterly, 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 or violent storm 11 at times in north.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally very high in north.
Weather: Squally showers, wintry at times, occasional rain or sleet at first in east.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally good at first in west.

West Central Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Fri 10 Apr 2026

At 100000UTC, low 51 north 24 west 996 expected 56 north 16 west 958 by 110000UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 between 30 and 350 miles of the centre in the southern semicircle. Winds will also reach storm force 10 between 30 and 250 miles of the centre in the northern semicircle from 100900UTC until 110300UTC. Low 61 north 38 west 981 moving steadily southeast losing its identity by same time. Winds will occasionally reach storm force 10 between 50 and 150 miles of the centre in the southwestern quadrant from 101200UTC.

Wind: Northwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time in far northeast, backing westerly 5 to 7, occasionally 4 later in far southwest.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally rough later in far southwest.
Weather: Squally snow showers then mainly fair.
Visibility: Good occasionally poor.

Denmark Strait

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6 at first in far southeast, otherwise northerly or northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9, decreasing 4 to 6 except in far northeast.
Sea state: Very rough, occasionally high at first in south, becoming rough occasionally moderate later.
Weather: Occasional rain or sleet at first in southeast, otherwise snow at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing within 150 miles of the greenland coast with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe in north with temperatures around ms06.

North Iceland

Wind: Northerly 7 to severe gale 9 in northwest near the ice edge, otherwise cyclonic 4 to 6.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough in south.
Weather: Occasional rain or snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light or moderate icing in northwest near the ice edge with temperatures ms03 to ms05, occasionally severe with temperatures around ms06.

Norwegian Basin

In west

Wind: Cyclonic 4 to 6, becoming southeasterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 later.
Sea state: Very rough becoming rough later.
Weather: Showers for a time.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate at first.

In east

Wind: Southerly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first, decreasing 4 or 5, then backing southeasterly 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high at first.
Weather: Occasional rain or squally showers then fair.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Storms expected in Shannon, Rockall, East Northern Section and East Central Section. Gales or severe gales expected in remaining 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.