A Small Craft Advisory issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services (ABMS) is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Island. A small craft warning may still be required for some areas this afternoon.

Locations to be affected: Especially open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands.

Timing: Until Monday for St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, and until Friday for Antigua and Barbuda.

Synopsis: Fresh to strong winds are causing a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach hazardous levels, especially in open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is high, with the potential for extensive impacts.

A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and or wind waves and or wind swells of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent. A warning may be required for some areas this afternoon.

Winds over open waters: East-northeast at 26 to 41 km/h (14 to 22 knots; 16 to 25 mph), with strong gusts to around 63 km/h (34 knots; 39 mph) or gusts to gale-force.

Seas (significant wave heights): 1.8 to 2.7 metres (6 to 9 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.5 metres (12 feet). Wind waves and or wind swells: 1.5 to 2.4 metres or 5 to 8 feet and occasionally higher. The dominant wind wave period is 6 to 9 seconds.

Potential Impacts: Loss of life at sea; injuries to mariners; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; financial losses; disruption of fisheries and scarcity of fish products and disruption to marine transportation.

Caution: Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions.

Please continue to monitor these hazardous, life-threatening marine conditions. Stay tuned to updates coming out of the Met Office via antiguamet.com, facebook.com/abmetservice and twitter.com/abmetservice. Also, stay tuned to other media platforms for updates.
Forecaster: Dale Destin