A low-pressure system over the southern Norwegian Sea is moving north-northwest. It will be followed by a ridge building over the North Sea on Wednesday. Another complex low near Iceland is expected to move northeast on Thursday, affecting much of the North Sea by the end of the week.
On Tuesday, August 5th, a low-pressure area over the southern Norwegian Sea moves north-northwest. At the same time, the Azores High extends a ridge over the UK. Between these two systems, a strong pressure gradient develops over the North Sea, resulting in increased winds and higher waves.
Winds across much of the North Sea may strengthen to 20–30 knots, with wave heights reaching 2.5–4.5 meters. Near the southern Norwegian coast, conditions will be more unsettled, with winds reaching up to 30 knots and locally up to 40 knots. In this region, wave heights may increase to 4.5–5 meters (see Figure 1).
As the low moves further away, the ridge over the United Kingdom shifts eastward across the North Sea on Wednesday. At the same time, another low-pressure system near Iceland begins moving northeast. This low passes north of Scotland on Thursday and continues over the northern North Sea later that day.
As a result, wind and wave conditions will intensify over the northern parts of the region on Thursday and early Friday. Winds may increase to 20–25 knots, with significant wave heights reaching 2–2.5 meters. In the far northern North Sea, winds could reach 30–35 knots, and waves may rise to 3.5 meters, locally even up to 5 meters.
The low continues moving northeast and dissipates over the Norwegian Sea later on Friday. In its wake, a ridge extends across the North Sea, bringing calmer conditions. However, the weekend will see a return to more unsettled weather. A new low-pressure system moves northeast from Iceland toward the Norwegian Sea, causing winds over the northern North Sea to increase again—possibly reaching 20–25 knots—with wave heights rising to 2–3.5 meters.
After the weekend, high pressure returns. A slight increase in northwesterly winds is expected over the central North Sea and the German Bight on Monday, leading to a modest rise in wave heights.
In conclusion, Tuesday brings unsettled weather across much of the North Sea, followed by a gradual improvement. However, passing low-pressure systems from Iceland to the Norwegian Sea will occasionally bring unsettled conditions to the northern North Sea. In contrast, the southern North Sea is expected to remain mostly calm throughout the period.
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