An active low-pressure system grips the weather in the North Sea this week, especially in the northern areas, resulting in strong winds and high waves for a couple of days. By the end of the week, high pressure is expected to rebuild over the North Sea, bringing calmer conditions.
Today, the active low-pressure system lingers over the northern North Sea, moving north into the Norwegian Sea tomorrow, where it will remain stationary for several days. As a result, two wave peaks are expected over the North Sea.
The first wave peak is anticipated for today (see Figure 1). On the southern side of the low, a westerly storm (W 9-10 Bft) will produce waves over 7 meters, especially in the Forties area.
The second wave peak is expected on Thursday. By then, the deep low will be lingering over the Norwegian Sea, generating high northerly waves on its western side. These waves will arrive in the North Sea as north-to-northwesterly swells (see Figure 2). Significant wave heights of over 3 meters are expected in the central North Sea, and over 5 meters in the Viking area.
Conditions are expected to calm down towards the weekend as the low-pressure system moves away and a ridge of high pressure builds over most of the North Sea.