A Small Craft Advisory has been issued for several Caribbean islands due to dangerous sea conditions that will affect mainly open waters on the northern and eastern sides of the islands.

The advisory covers Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, and St. Kitts and Nevis, with different timing for each location.

In Barbuda, the advisory runs from midday today through Thursday morning, while Antigua and Anguilla will see conditions from this afternoon through Thursday morning. Montserrat’s advisory period is from this evening through Wednesday night, the British Virgin Islands from Wednesday dawn through Thursday morning, and St. Kitts and Nevis from Wednesday morning through Wednesday night.

Weather forecasters expect winds to reach 26 to 41 kilometres per hour, which is 14 to 22 knots, with gusts climbing as high as 59 kilometres per hour or 32 knots. Sea heights will range from 1.8 to 2.4 meters, equivalent to 6 to 8 feet, with occasional swells reaching up to 3.4 meters or 10 feet. Wave periods are forecast at 6 to 9 seconds.

Authorities are warning that these conditions will create dangerous seas that pose significant risks including the possibility of boats capsizing, disruption to marine transport and fishing operations, and potential loss of life or property.

They are strongly advising inexperienced mariners and small craft operators to avoid going to sea during the advisory period.

The hazardous conditions are expected to be most severe in the open waters on the northern and eastern coastlines of the affected islands, where small vessels face the greatest danger.