In a recently issued bulletin from the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services (ABMS), a Small Craft Advisory goes back into effect Tuesday morning 15th February 2022 for Antigua and Barbuda with the same likely to be required for other areas by Wednesday.

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

Timing: Tuesday 8 am until Saturday. The worst conditions are likely Thursday night when the winds are expected to peak.

Synopsis: Fresh winds are forecast to cause a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach hazardous levels, mainly in open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is expected to rise to moderate, with the potential for significant 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.

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).

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: 1.8 to 2.7 metres or 6 to 9 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