Sea conditions prompt weather advisories for Antigua and Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services has issued a small craft advisory for waters surrounding Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, warning mariners of hazardous sea conditions that could pose significant danger to vessels.

The advisory, issued on Monday, May 12, 2025, warns of moderate to strong easterly winds between 14 to 19 knots (16 to 22 mph), with gusts reaching up to 30 knots (35 mph) in open waters up to 20 nautical miles off the islands. These conditions are expected to persist until Wednesday morning for Antigua and Barbuda and until Monday night for Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

Weather officials emphasized that these sea conditions pose a moderate threat level to the life, livelihood, and property of mariners, with potential for vessel damage, capsizing, and disruption to fishing activities and marine transportation.

Accompanying the small craft advisory is a high surf advisory affecting coastal areas, particularly along northern-facing shorelines with relatively shallow, gently sloping nearshore areas. This advisory remains in effect until Tuesday night for Barbuda but ended this morning for Antigua.

The high surf advisory warns of dangerous surfs of 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters) that are creating life-threatening rip currents – powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. Officials noted that these strong currents can carry even experienced swimmers out to sea.

Coastal flooding is also possible during this period, with high tides combining with onshore winds potentially causing beach erosion and seawater splashing onto low-lying coastal roads.

Authorities advise that those caught in a rip current should not swim against it but instead swim parallel to shore until free of the current, or call for help if unable to escape.

Weather officials urged the public to stay informed about these potentially dangerous conditions through official channels as they continue to monitor the situation.