Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

The general synopsis for UK

At 251200UTC, low 46 north 49 west 983 expected 55 north 44 west 991 by 261200UTC. Low 70 north 30 west 1014 expected 68 north 07 west 1017 by same time. Low 45 north 23 west 1014 dissipating. New low expected 63 north 36 west 1003 by 261200UTC.

Issued at: 20:00 (UTC) on Sat 25 Apr 2026.

For the period 20:00 (UTC) on Sat 25 Apr 2026 to 20:00 (UTC) on Sun 26 Apr 2026.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: Variable 2 to 4.
Sea state: Slight or moderate, becoming slight, occasionally smooth later.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good.

Shannon

Wind: South or southwest becoming variable later, 2 to 4.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Rockall

Wind: Cyclonic becoming south or southwest, 3 to 5.
Sea state: Slight or moderate.
Weather: Showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Bailey

Wind: East or southeast veering southwest later, 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Faeroes

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly or southeasterly, 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly or southeasterly, 3 to 5 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate.

East Northern Section

Wind: Southeasterly becoming cyclonic then southerly later, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 later in west.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8 later, occasionally severe gale 9 later in far northwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in northwest.
Weather: Rain, occasional snow at first in north, occasional fog patches at first.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally very poor at first.

East Central Section

Wind: Variable 2 to 4, becoming southerly 4 to 6 later in west.
Sea state: Moderate, occasionally rough later in far west.
Weather: Showers at first.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate at first.

West Central Section

Wind: Southerly or southeasterly 5 to 7, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally 5 later in northwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in south.
Weather: Occasional rain, fog patches at first in north.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor at first in north.

Denmark Strait

High seas storm warning: Issued: 20:00 (UTC) on Sat 25 Apr 2026

Northeasterly winds will reach storm 10 or violent storm 11 at times in Denmark Strait, within 100 miles of the Greenland coast south of 68 north from 261600UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic 3 to 5, becoming northeasterly gale 8 to storm 10 later, perhaps violent storm 11 later near greenland coast.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough later in south.
Weather: Rain and snow.
Visibility: Moderate or poor, occasionally good at first. Occasional light or moderate icing within 100 miles of greenland coast with temperatures ms02 to ms05.

North Iceland

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, becoming variable 2 to 4 later in far northwest.
Sea state: Moderate or rough.
Weather: Rain and snow, then snow showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor. Occasional light icing with temperatures ms02 to ms04.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Northerly or northwesterly 4 to 6, becoming variable 2 to 4 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough at first in northeast.
Weather: Snow showers at first in east.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor at first in east.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Storm force 10 expected in Denmark Strait. Severe gales expected in West Northern Section. Gales expected in East Northern Section and West Central Section.

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.