Viking

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. This area covers the northernmost part of the North Sea, off the east coast of the UK and west coast of Norway.

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.