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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Metro Report weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
The Shipping Forecast is a Met Office broadcast of weather conditions and gale warnings for 31 sea areas around the British Isles, issued four times daily on BBC Radio 4 (0520, 1201, 1754, 0020) and available via the shipping forecast app and online.
What are the main shipping forecast areas?
The 31 named sea areas cover waters from Viking (north of Scotland) to Trafalgar (off Portugal). Key areas include Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth, Biscay, and Fastnet. Each forecast includes wind direction and speed, sea state, visibility, and barometric pressure. A shipping forecast map shows these zones clearly.
How is the shipping forecast structured?
The UK weather hub provides the raw data, but the broadcast follows a strict script: gale warnings first, then a general synopsis, followed by sea-area forecasts in clockwise order. The shipping forecast script uses terms like “southwesterly 5 to 7” (wind force on the Beaufort scale) and “moderate or good” (visibility). The shipping forecast inshore waters covers coastal zones up to 12 nautical miles out, issued separately.
What does a typical shipping forecast example sound like?
A broadcast might say: “Viking, northerly 3 or 4, slight, good. Cromarty, variable 2 or 3, smooth, good.” This describes wind direction and speed, sea state, and visibility. For shipping forecast tomorrow, the outlook is given in the general synopsis. The shipping forecast radio broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Long Wave (198 kHz) remains a lifeline for mariners and a cultural touchstone for listeners.
Why is the shipping forecast still broadcast on radio?
It provides a reliable, always-available service for vessels without internet access, and remains a legal requirement under international maritime safety regulations.
Can I get the shipping forecast on my phone?
Yes. The Met Office shipping forecast app and website offer real-time updates, plus a 10-day weather forecast for coastal locations.
What is the difference between sea areas and inshore waters?
Sea areas cover open ocean (up to 200 miles out), while inshore waters focus on coastal strips within 12 nautical miles, issued separately for small craft.