... High surf advisory in effect until 4 PM AST Saturday...
The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued a high surf
advisory for the north through east coasts of Puerto Rico...
Culebra and Vieques and for all of the U.S. Virgin Islands... which
is in effect until 4 PM AST Saturday.
Long period... east northeast swells generated by dangerous
Hurricane Ike... located several hundred miles northeast of the
local area... began to affect the regional coastal waters late
Thursday night and have continued to build early this Friday
morning. These 5 to 6 foot long period swells will continue to
affect the local waters today into tonight... becoming more
northeast tonight and then continuing through at least late
Saturday afternoon.
These long period swells will produce large breaking waves of
10 to 14 feet or higher along the local reefs... beaches and
Shoals of the north through east coasts of all of the local
islands. Therefore... a high surf advisory has been issued for
these areas.
These breaking waves will generate strong and dangerous currents
within the surf zone... called rip currents. These narrow outward
flowing currents can carry people and animals away from the coast
line and out to sea. If you become caught in a rip current... do
not panic. Calmly... remain afloat... gather your bearings relative
to the beach... and swim parallel to the beach. You will
eventually leave the grip of this narrow current... and be able
to safely swim to shore.
Local beach goers... and inexperienced surfers and swimmers should
stay out of the water until these hazardous surf conditions
subside. Persons on the beach should be vigilant for large
breaking waves surging upon the shore... which can carry people of
all sizes into the ocean. You should avoid being near the shore
line and stay off of rock formations.
These surging waves will also create the potential for beach
erosion during times of high tide.
The times of the high tide for the following locations are:
San Juan harbor: 1:20 PM AST this afternoon at 1.7 feet
12:26 am AST Saturday at 1.0 feet
Magens Bay St thomas: 1:59 PM AST this afternoon at 1.4 feet
3:11 PM AST Saturday at 1.4 feet
Christiansted St croix: 1:18 PM AST this afternoon at 0.9 feet
2:44 PM AST Saturday at 0.9 feet
Please stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest information
on this dangerous marine situation from your National Weather
Service forecast office in San Juan.
This product... along with other weather... hydrological and
climate information... is available on the web at
http://www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/sju or at http://weather.Gov.