The forecast includes a synopsis for the near term through 48 hours and an extended outlook through to 5 days. The synopsis and outlook has a brief description of significant weather features and forecast over the offshore waters through the forecast period. Emphasis is placed on the forecast movement of low pressure, high pressure, fronts, and tropical systems. It covers a smaller area and contains more detailed information than the High Seas Forecast.
The forecast includes expected winds, seas, reduced visibility, and any precipitation. Emphasis in the forecast is for systems with maximum sustained winds (over a ten minute period) in excess of 34 knot (39 mph) and areas with reduced visibility of less than 1 NM. A warning is issued when wind conditions are expected to exceed 34 knot (39 mph) within a 24 hour period. The term "Gale" refers to extratropical lows with maximum sustained winds ranging from 34 knot (39 mph) to 47 knots (54 mph). A "Storm" refers to an extratropical low with sustained winds of 48 knots (55 mph) or greater. A "Tropical depression" has maximum sustained surface wind of less than 34 knots (39 mph). A "Tropical storm" has maximum sustained surface wind of 34 knots (39 mph) to 63 knots (73 mph). A "Hurricane" has maximum sustained surface winds 64 knots (74 mph) or greater.
The offshore forecast is issued every 6 hours for the Western North Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific Oceans. It may be issued sooner when current or expected conditions differ significantly from the forecast.