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Urgent – Marine Weather Message
Small Craft Warning
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services
12:45 pm Monday 19 January 2026

Locations to be affected: Mainly open waters.

Timing: From tonight until Wednesday morning for Antigua and Barbuda
From tonight until Wednesday midday for Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands
From midnight until Wednesday dawn for Montserrat
From Tuesday midnight until Wednesday midday for St. Kitts and Nevis

Synopsis: Fresh to strong gusty winds are forecast to cause a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach very hazardous levels, especially in open Atlantic waters.

The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is to rise to high with the potential for extensive impacts.

A small craft warning means that wind speeds of 41 km/h or higher (22 knots or higher) and or wind waves and or wind swells of 2.7 metres (9 feet) or greater are occurring or imminent.

Winds over open waters: East at 32 to 41 km/h (17 to 22 knots; 20 to 25 mph) with strong gusts to gale-force of 63 km/h (34 knots; 39 mph).

Seas (significant wave heights): 2.4 to 3.4 metres (8 to 11 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 4.0 metres (13 feet).

Wind waves and or wind swells of 2.7 to 3.4 metres or 9 to 11 feet
and occasionally higher. The dominant wind-wave period is 6 to 9 seconds.

Potential impacts: Loss of life; injuries; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; sea search and rescue disruptions; cancellations to sea transportation; scarcity of
seafood; cancellation to marine recreation and businesses and economic losses.

Caution: Small craft operators should stay in or near port, seek safe harbour, alter course, and/or secure their vessels from severe conditions.

Please continue to monitor these hazardous, life-threatening marine conditions. Stay tuned to updates coming out of the Met Office via antiguamet.com, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
@abmetservice. Also, stay tuned to ABS Radio and TV along with other media platforms for updates.

Forecaster: Letitia Humphreys