Urgent – Marine Weather Message High Surf Advisory Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service
10:40 am Wednesday 17 April 2024
…High surf advisory goes into effect this afternoon for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands…
Locations to be affected: Reefs and exposed northeastern and northeast-facing coastlines with relatively shallow,
gently to moderately sloping, nearshore areas.
Timing: This afternoon until tomorrow afternoon.
Synopsis: Moderate long-period swells are expected to reach the area and cause hazardous conditions along mainly
northeast and northeast-facing coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those
using the affected coastlines is to rise to 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): 1.5 to 2.1 metres(5 to 7 feet), occasionally or locally reaching 2.7 metres (9 feet). Swell
period: 9 to 13 seconds. Swells: Northeast at 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 feet) and occasionally higher.
Surfs (breaking swells): Over 2 metres (over 6 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 other media platforms for updates.
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