Published 7 April 2025
Buckie Got It
St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
High surf advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat.
Locations to be affected: Particularly reefs and exposed northern and northern facing coastlines relatively shallow, gently to moderately sloping, nearshore areas.
Timing: From Tuesday dawn until Thursday pre-dawn for Barbuda
From Tuesday morning until Thursday morning for Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis and the British Virgin Islands
From Tuesday evening until Wednesday afternoon for Montserrat
Synopsis: Moderate long-period swells are expected to reach the area, causing hazardous conditions along mainly northern and east-facing coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is moderatewith the potential for significant impacts. These swells could cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents on affected coastlines. A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.
Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.1 metres (10feet). Swell period: 9 to 15 seconds. Swells: North at 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher Surfs(breaking swells): Over 1.8 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive to dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height ofswells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.
Coastal flooding: High tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localised coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Potential Impacts: 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; localised disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.
Precautionary: Beachgoers, especially to the mainly affected coastlines, should be extremely cautious; bathe only where lifeguards are present or on the sheltered, less affected beaches, mainly to the south. Extreme caution is also required by those using the affected non-beach or rocky coastlines. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away fromshore, 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.
Forecaster: Letitia Humphrey
