DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
TIME ISSUED: 08:00 P.M.

SPECIAL BULLETIN # 1
VALID UNTIL: Thursday, November 27, 2024

…A HIGH SURF WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…

Due to a significant increase in long-period swells, hazardous sea conditions are expected along the northern and eastern coasts of St. Maarten. These conditions could lead to dangerous surf and rip currents, posing a serious risk to swimmers, surfers, and beachgoers. Coastal flooding and beach erosion are also possible in vulnerable areas.

Potential Impacts:

• Strong Rip Currents: Increased risk of drowning for swimmers and surfers.
• Coastal Flooding: Low-lying areas may experience flooding.
• Beach Erosion: Significant loss of beach sand, impacting coastal properties and infrastructure.
• Small Craft Hazards: Rough seas will make navigation dangerous for small vessels.

Small craft operators and beachgoers should exercise extreme caution and are urged to stay on shore to prevent personal injury, death, or material damage. Some coastal flooding is also possible in a few spots, and owners of coastal facilities should try to protect their possessions against destructive waves wherever possible.

Stay informed through local weather updates and heed all advisories from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten.

FORECASTER: GORDON

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A Special Bulletin is issued for weather events that are unusual, cause general inconvenience or public concern (requiring the attention and action of fire department and police authorities) and cannot adequately be described in a weather forecast.

High Surf Advisory announces that onshore wave action in breakers will likely cause above normal sea conditions (today) or is already occurring.

High Surf Warning indicates that significant high onshore wave action is certain to occur or is occurring already mainly because of swells.