Coastal and Marine Hazards Pose Threats to Puerto Rico and Northern USVI

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for coastal and marine hazards impacting the offshore and nearshore Atlantic waters, including the coastal areas of northwestern Puerto Rico, both Mona and Anegada Passages, and extending to the northern US Virgin Islands.

Expected to persist through Tuesday morning, these conditions have led to advisories being issued, cautioning against hazardous seas for small craft and warning of dangerous swimming conditions due to high surf across these regions.

Starting from Monday, April 1, seas are forecasted to range from 6-8 feet with breaking waves hitting heights of 7-11 feet. While the seas are expected to calm as the week progresses, initial conditions will be particularly rough, presenting substantial risks to small vessels. Mariners across both Puerto Rico and the USVI are advised to exercise caution, especially in the afternoon when the marine conditions are predicted to be most severe.

Wind forecasts for the week indicate speeds of 15 to 20 knots with gusts reaching up to 25 knots on Monday, slightly decreasing in intensity as the week advances but still maintaining significant gusts. These windy conditions contribute to the rough seas and support the issuance of advisories in the affected areas.