High surf advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands…

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Urgent – Marine Weather Message

High Surf Advisory

Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service

10:20 am Thursday 28 November, 2024

…High surf advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands…

Locations to be affected: Reefs and exposed northern and north-facing coastlines with relatively shallow, gently to

moderately sloping, nearshore areas.

Timing: Until Saturday afternoon for Antigua, Barbuda,St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla

Until Saturday morning for the British Virgin Islands

Synopsis: Moderate long-period swells are reaching the area and causing hazardous conditions along mainly northern

and north-facing coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the

affected coastlines is moderate with the potential for significant impacts. These swells could cause life-threatening

surfs and rip currents on affected coastlines. A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to

10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.

Seas (significant wave heights): 1.8 to 2.4 metres (6 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.1 metres (10

feet). Swell period: 10 to 17 seconds. Swells: North-northeast at 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 feet) and occasionally higher

Surfs (breaking swells): Over 1.5 metres (over 5 feet). These conditions are conducive to dangerous rip currents. Please

note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.

Coastal flooding: High tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localised coastal flooding

and beach erosion.

Potential Impacts: Loss of life–strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to

beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low-lying coastal roads; beach closures; localised disruptions to

marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to

potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.

Precautionary: Beachgoers, especially to the mainly affected coastlines, should be extremely cautious; bathe only

where lifeguards are present or on the sheltered, less affected beaches, mainly to the south. Extreme caution is also

required by those using the affected non-beach or rocky coastlines.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or

breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float.

Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore

and call or wave for help.

Please continue to monitor these hazardous, life-threatening marine conditions. Stay tuned to updates from the

Meteorological Office via antiguamet.com, and Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @abmetservice. Also, stay tuned to

ABS Radio and TV and other media platforms for updates.

Forecaster: Letitia Humphreys

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