Viking

A Met Office Shipping Forecast sea area in the northern North Sea between Scotland and Norway.

It lies south of the northern forecast limit and west of the Utsire areas, with Forties to the south. Its name comes from the Viking Bank area of the North Sea.

Forecast-area limits are defined by published coordinates, not by the short geographical description alone. Mariners should use the current Met Office map and forecast.

Named after the shallow Viking Bank to the north of Dogger Bank, Viking is the northernmost of the Shipping Forecast areas. It is exposed to Atlantic depressions that bring frequent westerly and southwesterly gales (Force 8–9) in winter, with rough to very rough seas and poor visibility in rain or snow. Historically, Viking averages gale warnings on over 25% of winter days, making it one of the stormiest zones in the North Sea.