The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is predicting that there will be a 20 per cent chance of showers continuing from the weekend into today Monday, January 17, 2022, while at the same time informing persons of a high surf advisory in effect. Photo: VINO/File

This high surf advisory will be in effect until Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Photo: VINO/File

Heavy showers particularly over the nighttime hours dominated the weather over the past few days.

In its latest weather update, the DDM said its synopsis for today is “a relatively dry and stable atmosphere will keep weather conditions generally settled. Meanwhile, long period swells from the north Atlantic will generate hazardous breaking surfs at the coastlines.”

The weather update said today is expected to be “partly sunny with a 20 per cent or a slight chance of showers” and tonight, is expected to be “partly cloudy with a 20 per cent or a slight chance of showers.”

The winds are coming from the southeast where speeds will range from 16 to 29 km/h or 10 to 18 mph and the seas will likely be between 1.5 to 2.4 meters or 5 to 8 feet.

“Swells will be out of the north-northwest between 1.2 to 1.8 meters or 4 to 6 feet. A high surf advisory is in effect mainly for the north and northwestern side of the islands,” it said.

High Surf Advisory

A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 meters or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area – north and northwestern side of the Virgin Islands – producing hazardous conditions.

This high surf advisory will be in effect until Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

According to Forecaster Dale Destin, the threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is expected to rise to high, with the potential for extensive impacts. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents for affected coastlines.

Seas (significant wave heights) is slated to be 2 to 2.7 meters (6 to 9 feet), occasionally or locally reaching 3.5 meters (over 11 feet). The swell period could last between 9 to 15 seconds.

There could be coastal flooding with the high tides coupled with the onshore wind and sea swells and there could be potential loss of life and injuries with the strong currents etc, therefore beachgoers should exercise extreme caution and bathe only where lifeguards are present or utilize the sheltered, less affected beaches mainly to the south sides.