A High Surf Advisory remains in effect for Antigua and several other islands across the northern Leewards as strong swells from the north continue to generate hazardous sea conditions, the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has warned.
The advisory, issued at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, is expected to remain in effect until Thursday afternoon for Antigua, while neighbouring Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands will remain under the alert until Thursday evening.
According to the Met Service, long-period swells measuring up to 6 feet (1.8 metres) are combining with surf heights reaching as high as 10 feet (3 metres), creating dangerous rip currents and pounding surf along northern and north-facing coastlines.
“Beachgoers and mariners should exercise extreme caution,” the advisory stated, noting that the rough conditions could lead to coastal flooding and beach erosion in vulnerable areas.
Residents have been urged to stay out of the water on exposed beaches and to avoid venturing onto rocks and jetties near the shore. Lifeguards are also advising swimmers to enter the water only where safety personnel are present.
The weather office added that the swell period ranges between 10 and 11 seconds, typical of distant storm activity in the North Atlantic that transmits wave energy over long distances.
The advisory is part of a wider regional alert also affecting St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, where the impacts are expected to vary based on coastline exposure.
Marine operators and small craft users are being urged to monitor updates and heed official guidance as the sea state could worsen before conditions gradually improve later in the week.
Further information and updates are available via the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service website at antiguamet.com.
