Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services
6:00 PM Saturday 24 November 2018
The high surf advisory remains in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla
and the British Virgin Islands until Wednesday.
Northerly swells will start to reach the islands in the next 12 hours. These swells are expected to cause
dangerous breaking waves (surfs) and life-threatening rip currents.
Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres or 5 to 8 feet and occasionally reaching 3 metres or 10 feet. Northerly swells of near
1.5 to 2 metres or 5 to 7 feet and occasionally exceeding 2.5 metres or 9 feet.
Surfs: Breaking swells or surfs of over 2 metres or over 6 feet are expected. These conditions will be conducive
for dangerous rip currents.please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells.
Coastal flooding: High tides combine with onshore wind and swell actions will result in localized coastal
flooding and beach erosion.
Locations (to be) affected: Mainly exposed and shallow northern and eastern facing beaches and coastlines.
Timing: Until Wednesday.
Impacts (possible/likely/expected): 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; localized disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs;
salt water intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off
exposed rocks and jetties. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbours making navigating the harbour
channel dangerous.
Precautionary/preparedness actions: A high surf advisory means that dangerous high surfs of 2 to 3 metres
or 6 to 10 feet will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and dangerous
swimming conditions. Beachgoers should be extremely cautious; bathe only where lifeguards are present or
the sheltered, less affected beaches on the south.
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.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Forecaster: Dale Destin
