Sea state 'phenomenal' - Feb 5 UK shipping forecast

[Borden]

I've never before seen the word phenomenal used in the shipping forecast to describe sea state.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/marine/shipping_forecast.html#All~All

I've copied the relevant parts below.

FitzRoy
Gale warnings - Issued: 0333 UTC Wed 05 Feb

Westerly violent storm force 11 decreasing severe gale force 9 soon

Shipping Forecast - Issued: 1030 UTC Wed 05 Feb

Wind
In south, westerly 6 to gale 8, becoming cyclonic 7 to severe gale 9, perhaps storm 10 later. In north, westerly becoming cyclonic later 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first.
Sea State
In south, high or very high, becoming very rough. in north, very high or phenomenal, becoming very rough.
Weather
In south, squally showers then rain. In north, squally showers, rain later.
Visibility
In south, good, becoming moderate or poor. In north, moderate or poor.


Sole
Gale warnings - Issued: 2141 UTC Tue 04 Feb

Westerly violent storm force 11 decreasing storm force 10 soon

Shipping Forecast - Issued: 1030 UTC Wed 05 Feb

Wind
West gale 8 to storm 10, becoming cyclonic 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea State
Very high or phenomenal, becoming very rough.
Weather
Squally showers.
Visibility
Moderate or poor, occasionally good.

 

[vyv_cox]

Barometric pressure in north Wales now is 963 mbar. Long time since I have seen it so low.

 

[Roberto]

This morning I have been playing a little with some web sites


These are this morning measurements from Pointes Noires buoy, just off Ushant.

Significant wave height consistently in the 12m range; even not considering the 23.6m (too frightening) highest waves repeatedly at 18-19m

these are model forecasts for the western channel

MarineTraffic is showing westbound traffic (cargo, tankers etc) all at speeds of 3-4-5knots

 

[tri39]

It's quite impressive off Brighton marina! Esp when the reflected waves head back out and meet the incoming ones.
These deep depressions have been running in one after another for 3 mnths now!! Was this ever forecast?

 

[NickTrevethan]

Fantastic. I have a container full of personal effects on a ship icurrently n the Bay of Biscay bound from Singapore, at least I hope its on a ship and not simply in the Bay of Biscay...

 

[franksingleton]

Phenomenal is defined as >14 metres. I think that is supposed to be an average. See the Met Office site or mine.