NOAA OPC Surface Analysis 1200 UTC 31 October
A gale low over the western North Atlantic will move ENE at 45 kts, deepening rapidly into a hurricane-force 953 mb storm low over the English Channel Approaches by 0000 UTC November 2nd with winds to 70 kts and significant wave heights to 12 meters (about 40 ft) south of England and Ireland and portions of the Bay of Biscay. Thereafter the storm center will move across southern England and into the Northsea.
NOAA OPC Surface Forecast 0000 UTC 2 November
Significant shipping delays are possible for both inbound and outbound English Channel traffic.
Yikes, 953 mb and 70 kt winds over the English Channel? That’s a beast. The 40-foot wave heights near the Bay of Biscay and shipping delays are no joke—I’ve got friends on a cargo vessel due in that region around Nov 2nd, hope they reroute in time.
Watching that 953 mb low deepen that fast—70 kt winds and 40 ft waves—is wild. I’ve got family near the English Channel, and they’re already bracing for delays, especially with it tracking right across southern England. Hope the shipping lanes can reroute in time.
That’s a serious system developing across the Atlantic—a 953 mb low with 70-knot winds and 40-foot waves is no joke for shipping in those waters. The rapid deepening into hurricane-force conditions over just a couple of days is particularly concerning, especially with it tracking right toward the English Channel and Bay of Biscay where there’s so much commercial traffic. Mariners in that region definitely need to be monitoring this closely and preparing for significant delays.