Small craft and high surf advisory issued for Barbados

Choppy sea conditions along the coastlines of Barbados and in open water are expected between the night of Saturday 11th January 2025 and early on Monday 13th January 2025. Therefore, the Barbados Meteorological Services has issued a Small Craft and High Surf Advisory.

**** Hazard Info ****
Possible Impacts
Small craft operators and beachgoers should be prepared for the possibility of: large open water swells which can be hazardous to some vessels. Operation of smaller vessels can be difficult at times due to large swells, some beach erosion is inevitable with most or all beaches submerged particularly below the cliffs and specifically at times of high tide.

What you Should do
Marine users are encouraged to monitor the BMS, DEM and GIS websites and their respective social media pages along with the local media networks for further information on what to do. If you intend to go into the water, it is recommended that you use beaches with on-duty lifeguards. Secure objects on the beachfront that may be swept away by the wave action.

Discussion
A mid-latitude cyclone in the central Atlantic is expected to agitate the seas from Saturday night into early Monday. Northerly swells between 2.5 and 3.0 m are expected at this time. Swell heights are expected to decrease thereafter but the northerly swell direction is expected to remain. Choppy conditions may persist, particularly along the western Coastlines for much of the week.

General Information
A small-craft advisory is issued when sea swells of 2.5 to 3.0 metres (8 to 10 feet) are forecast to affect the marine area. A High Surf Advisory is issued when breaking wave action is forecast to pose a threat to life and property within the surf zone.

This Advisory was issued at 10 am on Friday 10th January 2025 and will be terminated at 6 am on Monday 13th January 2025 or sooner if conditions warrant.

For more information specific to your area, please visit https://www.barbadosweather.org/marineBarResp.php, our social media pages or call our hotline at 976-2376 or the office at 535-0022.