A high-pressure system near Iceland will slowly shift southeast, reaching the North Sea over the weekend. Meanwhile, a trough will persist over Scandinavia. On Tuesday, a shallow low over France will move northeast and dissipate over central Europe by the end of the day. Another low over the western Mediterranean will track northeast toward northwestern Russia, gradually deepening as it moves.
A high-pressure area lingers over eastern Europe, dissipating over the weekend. Meanwhile, low-pressure systems affect the northern Atlantic, with associated frontal troughs passing over the North Sea at times. Another high approaches the North Sea from the west at the end of the week.
On Tuesday, 19 August, high pressure remains near Iceland and gradually shifts southeast, extending a ridge across the North Sea. At the same time, a low lingers over the Kola Peninsula, with its trough stretching across Scandinavia. A shallow secondary low may also develop at times over southern Scandinavia. Northerly to northeasterly winds will strengthen over the northern and central North Sea, reaching 25–30 knots, with waves possibly rising to 3–4 meters.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a shallow low over France will move northeast and dissipate over central Europe by the end of the day. At the same time, another low over the western Mediterranean will move northeast, passing northern Italy on Thursday before continuing toward northwestern Russia.
Weather conditions over the North Sea will improve slightly on Wednesday. As the trough continues to extend over Scandinavia and high pressure gradually approaches the North Sea, northerly to northwesterly winds will strengthen along the southern and southwestern Norwegian coast from Thursday and well into Saturday. Wind speeds are generally expected to reach 20–25 knots, with occasional local increases up to 30–33 knots. Wind gusts may rise to 30–35 knots and locally up to 40–45 knots. Significant wave heights are expected to build to 2.5–3.5 meters (see Figure 1).
By Sunday, high pressure will have reached the North Sea, bringing calm and settled weather across the entire region, which is expected to persist into the following week.
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