After a period of unsettled weather, conditions on the North Sea are expected to calm significantly in the coming week. This will create numerous workable windows, particularly in the central and southern parts of the North Sea. However, there are still some factors to consider. You can read all about it in this blog.
High pressure will remain over mainland Europe in the coming days. This high builds a strong ridge over the southern and central North Sea, resulting in relatively calm weather. Winds will often stay below 15-20 knots, and significant wave height (Hs) will generally be around or below 1.5m in most areas for most of the week.
Low-pressure systems are forming near Iceland and are moving northeast over the Norwegian Sea. Some fronts will manage to reach the northern North Sea. Here, winds will be noticeably stronger, reaching 25-30 knots. Hs will be around 2m during calmer periods but can increase locally to 4m during the passage of troughs (see Figure 1). Consequently, the number of workable windows will be significantly smaller in the northern North Sea compared to the central and southern regions.
Although wind and waves are unlikely to be limiting factors over the central and southern North Sea, caution is advised for fog in these areas. On Tuesday and Wednesday in particular, there is a high chance of fog and low clouds. This could hinder operations requiring good visibility. Due to the localized nature of the fog, it is still difficult to pinpoint exactly where it will form. Figure 1 provides a clear indication of the areas at risk. Later in the week, the south-westerly wind will pick up slightly, gradually reducing the likelihood of fog.
