Small Craft Advisory Issued for Antigua and Barbuda as Seas Reach 10 Feet
The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a small craft advisory as strong winds and hazardous seas affect waters surrounding several northeastern Caribbean islands.
The advisory will remain in effect for Antigua and Barbuda until Monday before dawn. It also covers Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands for varying periods.
Forecasters said moderate to fresh easterly winds are producing wind waves and swells, primarily along the Atlantic sides of the islands and extending up to 20 nautical miles offshore.
Winds are expected to range from 22 to 35 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 54 kilometres per hour.
Seas are forecast at 1.5 to 2.4 metres, or 5 to 8 feet, occasionally or locally reaching nearly 3.1 metres, or 10 feet.
The Met Office warned that the conditions could result in injuries to mariners, damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment, disruption to fishing and marine transportation, and financial losses.
Inexperienced mariners, particularly those operating smaller vessels, are being advised to avoid navigating in the affected waters.
The advisory was issued at 7:45 a.m. Saturday. Residents and mariners are encouraged to continue monitoring updates from the Meteorological Service.
Full Advisory:
Urgent – Marine Weather Message
Small Craft Advisory
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service
7:45 am Saturday 18th July 2026
…Small craft advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands…
Locations to be affected: Mainly, open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands out to 20 nautical miles.
Timing: Until Sunday midday for Montserrat
Until Monday pre-dawn for Antigua and Barbuda
From tonight until Sunday afternoon for Anguilla
From midnight until Sunday dawn for St. Kitts and Nevis
From midnight until Sunday midday for the British Virgin Islands
Synopsis: Moderate to fresh winds are causing a combination of wind waves and wind swells, resulting in hazardous seas, mainly on the Atlantic sides of the islands. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is moderate with the potential for significant impacts. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 17 to 21 knots and or wind waves and or wind swells of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent.
Winds over open waters: East at 22 to 35 km/h (12 to 19 knots; 14 to 22 mph), with strong gusts to 54 km/h (29 knots; 33 mph).
Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.1 metres (10 feet). Wind waves and or wind swells up to 2.4 metres or up to 8 feet and occasionally higher. The dominant wind-wave period is 6 to 9 seconds.
Potential Impacts: Loss of life at sea; injuries to mariners; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; financial losses; disruption of fisheries and scarcity of fish products and disruption to marine transportation.
Caution: Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions.
Please continue to monitor these hazardous, life-threatening marine conditions. Stay tuned to updates from the Meteorological Office through antiguamet.com and Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @abmetservice. Also, stay tuned to ABS Radio and TV along with other media platforms for updates.
Forecaster: Letitia Humphreys
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Small craft advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.