Coast and sea

High seas forecast and storm warnings

Printable version

The general synopsis for UK

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC.

Issued at: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024.

For the period 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024 to 08:00 (UTC) on Sun 22 Dec 2024.

High seas forecast and storm warnings map

High seas forecast and storm warnings explained

Sole

Wind: West or southwest 4 to 6, increasing 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high later.
Weather: Occasional rain then squally showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Shannon

Wind: West veering northwest later, 7 to severe gale 9.
Sea state: Very rough or high, becoming high or very high later.
Weather: Squally showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Rockall

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: West veering northwest later, gale 8 to storm 10.
Sea state: High or very high.
Weather: Squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Bailey

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: West or northwest gale 8 to storm 10, occasionally violent storm force 11 until later.
Sea state: High or very high.
Weather: Squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Faeroes

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, increasing severe gale 9 to violent storm 11 for a time in south.
Sea state: Very rough or high, becoming high or very high in south.
Weather: Rain or squally showers.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

Southeast Iceland

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, increasing 7 to severe gale 9, becoming northerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, becoming very rough or high.
Weather: Rain or squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

East Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: Cyclonic, mainly westerly or northwesterly, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in south and later also in east.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally very high in south.
Weather: Rain or squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor. Light icing possible later in far northwest.

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly gale 8 to storm 10, occasionally violent storm 11 at first, decreasing 6 to gale 8 later in west.
Sea state: High or very high.
Weather: Squally wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

West Northern Section

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, increasing gale 8 to storm 10 for a time in northwest.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high in south.
Weather: Wintry showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor. Moderate to severe icing developing later in west, becoming very severe later near greenland.

Wind: Westerly or northwesterly gale 8 to storm 10, decreasing 5 to 7 later, backing southerly or southeasterly later in southwest.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally very high in east.
Weather: Squally wintry showers, becoming mainly fair, then rain or sleet later in southwest.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

East Central Section

Wind: Westerly veering northwesterly, 7 to severe gale 9, declining 4 to 6 later in west.
Sea state: Very rough or high, occasionally very high in northeast.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, becoming mainly fair later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Wind: Westerly veering northwesterly 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in far north, decreasing 3 or 4 later in west.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high later in northeast.
Weather: Occasional rain.
Visibility: Good, occasionally poor.

West Central Section

Wind: Westerly 6 to gale 8, becoming variable 2 to 4 in west, then southerly 5 to 7 later.
Sea state: Very rough or high, becoming rough or very rough later.
Weather: Showers, wintry at first, then occasional rain later.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Wind: Westerly or southwesterly 5 to 7, becoming variable 2 to 4, then southerly 4 to 6 later.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Occasional rain or drizzle.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Denmark Strait

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: Northeasterly backing northerly, severe gale 9 to violent storm 11.
Sea state: Very rough or high.
Weather: Snow.
Visibility: Poor or very poor. Severe or very severe icing likely with temperatures ms09 to ms12.

Wind: Rest of area, northeasterly backing northerly, 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in east, becoming cyclonic 3 to 5 in west, then northwesterly gale 8 to storm 10 in far west, then cyclonic 3 to 5 later in east.
Sea state: Rough or very rough.
Weather: Snow showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Light to moderate icing with temperatures ms03 to ms06. Severe or very severe icing also likely within 80 miles of the ice edge, mainly in east, with temperatures ms07 to ms10, light to moderate icing also developing in far southwest after 211000utc, with temperatures ms04 to ms06.

North Iceland

High seas storm warning: Issued: 08:00 (UTC) on Sat 21 Dec 2024

At 210000UTC, low 61 north 21 west 965 expected 63 north 01 east 958 by 220000UTC. Mainly westerly or northwesterly winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 50 and 400 miles from the centre until 211800UTC, at which point winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the southwest quadrant between 50 and 600 miles of the centre. Westerly or northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in West Northern Section south of 61 north until 220300UTC and in the southern half of West Northern Section until 220000UTC. Westerly winds are also expected to reach violent storm force 11 at times in the southern semi-circle of the low between 100 and 250 miles of the centre until 212000UTC. Northwesterly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and far west of Denmark Strait from 211100UTC until 220600UTC. Northerly or northeasterly winds will also reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11 at times in area north of 67 north and east of 24 west in Denmark Strait throughout. Northerly winds will also reach storm force 10 at times in the far west of north Iceland until 211900UTC.

Wind: Northerly or northeasterly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first in far west, rough or very rough.
Sea state: Occasional snow.
Weather: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.
Visibility: Moderate to severe icing likely within 100 miles of the ice edge with temperatures ms05 to ms08, becoming very severe at times within 70 miles of the ice edge, with temperatures ms08 to ms10.

Wind: Cyclonic 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 in central areas and later also near iceland.
Sea state: Rough or very rough, occasionally high later in southeast.
Weather: Occasional sleet or snow.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. Moderate to severe icing likely within 100 miles of the ice edge with temperatures ms05 to ms08, becoming very severe at times within 70 miles of the ice edge, with temperatures ms08 to ms10, light to moderate icing also developing southwest later with temperatures ms03 to ms06.

Norwegian Basin

Wind: Cyclonic 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 later.
Sea state: Moderate or rough, becoming rough or very rough, then very rough or high later.
Weather: Occasional rain or showers, wintry at times.
Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for following 24 hours

Storms expected in Shannon, Rockall, Bailey, Faeroes, West Northern Section, Denmark Strait and Norwegian Basin. Severe gales expected in all other 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.