BMS issues small craft advisory, warns of dangers of large open water swells

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has issued a small craft advisory due to above-normal swell heights.

A small craft advisory is issued when sustained winds of 20 to 25 knots and/or sea swells of 2.5 to 3.0 metres (eight to 10 feet) and/or reduced visibility (less than 10 kilometres but greater than five kilometres) are affecting or forecast to affect the marine area within the next 36 hours.

Hazard Info

A strong Atlantic high-pressure system in combination with a low-pressure system in the North Atlantic is expected to generate winds of 20 to 25 knots (35 to 45 km/h) with higher gusts over the next few days.

This increase in wind speeds will result in a deterioration of sea conditions with swells of 2.0m to 3.0m in open water expected in the marine area from Monday. Therefore, a small craft advisory is in effect for above-normal sea swells.

Sea conditions are expected to remain agitated throughout the week as model guidance indicates a further deterioration in sea conditions with swells of 3.0m or greater possible in the marine area from Thursday.

Winds are expected to increase during this time, therefore this advisory may upgraded to a small craft warning and high surf advisory in a few days.

Key Messages:

• Possible tumbling and rolling of unsecured objects.
• Large open water swells can be hazardous to some vessels.
• Operation of smaller vessels can be difficult at times due to large swells

(BMS)