A high surf advisory in effect for Antigua and Barbuda

A high surf advisory is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

Climatologist Dale Destin says the advisory will affect reefs and exposed northeastern and northeast-facing coastlines with relatively shallow, gently to moderately sloping, nearshore areas.

This Destin says will last from this afternoon until tomorrow afternoon.

Moderate long-period swells are expected to reach the area and cause hazardous conditions along mainly northeast and northeast-facing coastlines.

The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is moderate, with the potential for significant impacts according to Destin

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) will be 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet), occasionally or locally reaching 2.7 metres (9 feet).

Swell period will be 9 to 13 seconds. Swells will be northeast at 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 feet) and occasionally higher.

Surfs (breaking swells) will be over 2 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive to dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.

Coastal flooding is also a possibility with high tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions that could result in localised coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Potential impacts include loss of life, 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 measures must be taken by beachgoers, especially those on the mainly affected coastlines.

They should be extremely cautious and 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 from shore, 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. Please continue to monitor these hazardous and life-threatening marine conditions.