Terminology used in the Shipping Forecast

Winds of at least Beaufort force 8 (34-40 knots) or gusts reaching 43-51 knots.
Severe Gale
Winds of force (41-47 knots) or gusts reaching 52-60 knots.
Violent Storm
Winds of force 11 (56-63 knots) or gusts of 69 knots or more.
Hurricane Force
Winds of force 12 (64 knots or more). Note the term is Hurricane Force: the term hurricane on its own is only used to imply a true tropical cyclone.
Imminent
Expected within 6 hours of time of issue.
Soon
Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue.
Later
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
Winds of force (41-47 knots) or gusts reaching 52-60 knots.
Violent Storm
Winds of force 11 (56-63 knots) or gusts of 69 knots or more.
Hurricane Force
Winds of force 12 (64 knots or more). Note the term is Hurricane Force: the term hurricane on its own is only used to imply a true tropical cyclone.
Imminent
Expected within 6 hours of time of issue.
Soon
Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue.
Later
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
Winds of force 11 (56-63 knots) or gusts of 69 knots or more.
Hurricane Force
Winds of force 12 (64 knots or more). Note the term is Hurricane Force: the term hurricane on its own is only used to imply a true tropical cyclone.
Imminent
Expected within 6 hours of time of issue.
Soon
Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue.
Later
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
Winds of force 12 (64 knots or more). Note the term is Hurricane Force: the term hurricane on its own is only used to imply a true tropical cyclone.
Imminent
Expected within 6 hours of time of issue.
Soon
Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue.
Later
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
Expected within 6 hours of time of issue.
Soon
Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue.
Later
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
Expected within 6 to 12 hours of time of issue.
Later
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.
Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue.

Visibility less than 1000m.
Poor
Visibility between 1000m. and 2 n.miles.
Moderate
Visibility between 2 and 5 n.miles.
Good
Visibility more than 5 n.miles.
Visibility between 1000m. and 2 n.miles.
Moderate
Visibility between 2 and 5 n.miles.
Good
Visibility more than 5 n.miles.
Visibility between 2 and 5 n.miles.
Good
Visibility more than 5 n.miles.
Visibility more than 5 n.miles.

Moving at less than 15 knots.
Steadily
Moving at 15 to 25 knots.
Rather Quickly
Moving at 25 to 35 knots.
Rapidly
Moving at 35 to 45 knots.
Very Rapidly
Moving at more than 45 knots.
Moving at 15 to 25 knots.
Rather Quickly
Moving at 25 to 35 knots.
Rapidly
Moving at 35 to 45 knots.
Very Rapidly
Moving at more than 45 knots.
Moving at 25 to 35 knots.
Rapidly
Moving at 35 to 45 knots.
Very Rapidly
Moving at more than 45 knots.
Moving at 35 to 45 knots.
Very Rapidly
Moving at more than 45 knots.
Moving at more than 45 knots.

Pressure change of 0.1 to 1.5 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Rising (or Falling)
Pressure change of 1.6 to 3.5 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Rising (or Falling) Quickly
Pressure change of 3.6 to 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Rising (or Falling) Very Rapidly
Pressure change of more than 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Now Rising (or Falling)
Pressure has been falling (rising) or steady in the preceding 3 hours, but at the time of observation was definitely rising (or falling).
Pressure change of 1.6 to 3.5 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Rising (or Falling) Quickly
Pressure change of 3.6 to 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Rising (or Falling) Very Rapidly
Pressure change of more than 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Now Rising (or Falling)
Pressure has been falling (rising) or steady in the preceding 3 hours, but at the time of observation was definitely rising (or falling).
Pressure change of 3.6 to 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Rising (or Falling) Very Rapidly
Pressure change of more than 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Now Rising (or Falling)
Pressure has been falling (rising) or steady in the preceding 3 hours, but at the time of observation was definitely rising (or falling).
Pressure change of more than 6.0 hPa in the preceding 3 hours.
Now Rising (or Falling)
Pressure has been falling (rising) or steady in the preceding 3 hours, but at the time of observation was definitely rising (or falling).
Pressure has been falling (rising) or steady in the preceding 3 hours, but at the time of observation was definitely rising (or falling).

Indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Wind Becoming Cyclonic
Indicates that there will be considerable change in wind direction across the path of a depression within the forecast area.
Veering
The changing of the wind in the direction of motion of the hands of a clock, e.g. SW to W.
Backing
The opposite direction to veering, e.g. SE to NE.
Indicates that there will be considerable change in wind direction across the path of a depression within the forecast area.
Veering
The changing of the wind in the direction of motion of the hands of a clock, e.g. SW to W.
Backing
The opposite direction to veering, e.g. SE to NE.
The changing of the wind in the direction of motion of the hands of a clock, e.g. SW to W.
Backing
The opposite direction to veering, e.g. SE to NE.
The opposite direction to veering, e.g. SE to NE.

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Terminology used in the Shipping Forecast