A fast-strengthening winter storm over the North Atlantic is generating hurricane-force winds and very high seas, prompting urgent guidance for mariners in the affected waters.
As of 1200 UTC on 16 December 2025, the system’s main center was near 52°N, 43°W with a central pressure of 938 millibars, moving northeast at 30 knots. Winds of 60–80 knots were reported across a broad area around the center, while seas were building to about 15 m (around 49 ft).
U.S. forecasters issued a hurricane-force wind warning covering sectors around the low, including a southeast quadrant out to 300 nautical miles, a southern quadrant out to 360 nautical miles, and a western quadrant spanning 90–240 nautical miles. In the warned area, winds of 60–80 knots were expected alongside seas of 9–15 m.
Beyond the core, storm-force winds of 45–60 knots were affecting waters from 43°N to 53°N east of 50°W, with seas reaching about 12 m (roughly 39 ft). Gale conditions also extended across much of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and nearby waters.
The outlook called for the system to keep moving northeast and weaken only gradually during the next 24 hours. By 17 December 2025, forecasters expected the complex low to separate into two centers, one near 60°N, 29°W at 942 millibars and another near 58°N, 39°W at 950 millibars.
Additional hazards were flagged for shipping. Freezing spray warnings were issued for parts of the region, with moderate to heavy icing spray expected in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and along portions of the Canadian coast. Dense fog was also noted, at times reducing visibility below 1 nautical mile from 45°N to 56°N east of 60°W and north of 60°N between the west Greenland coast and 63°W. Mariners were further cautioned that occasional individual waves can rise to more than double the significant wave height.
The storm conditions were also linked to cargo losses at sea. The 8,102 TEU containership ONE Continuity, operated by Ocean Network Express, diverted to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands after losing about 45 containers overboard in Atlantic heavy weather. The vessel declared an emergency after encountering heavy seas south of the Canary Islands on 10 December 2025, and no injuries were reported.
