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Urgent – Marine Weather Message
Small Craft Warning
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service – ABMS
6:00 pm Friday 14 August 2026

Locations to be affected: Mainly open waters.

Timing: Until Sunday night for Antigua and Barbuda; midnight tonight until midafternoon
Saturday for St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat and midnight tonight until midnight Saturday for the
British Virgin Islands.

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 risk to life and property is very high in the marine space. Mariners should take any action necessary to protect life, property and livelihood and follow further advice given by officials and emergency services.

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 28 to 44 km/h (15 to 24 knots; 17 to 28 mph) with strong gale/storm-force gusts of 69 km/h (37 knots; 43 mph).

The strongest winds are expected between midnight tonight and midmorning Saturday.

Seas (significant wave heights): 2.4 to 3.7 metres (8 to 12 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 5.0 metres (16 feet).

Wind waves and/or wind swells of 2.4 to 3.7 metres or 8 to 12 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; cancellations 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 for updates from the Meteorological Service via antiguamet.com, X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and Instagram @abmetservice or WhatsApp channel Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service.

Also, stay tuned to ABS Radio and TV and other media platforms for updates.

Forecaster: Dale Destin