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Public warned of high surf, rip currents
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Posted on Feb 13 2020
A northerly swell is producing hazardous surf across the Marianas. There will be hazardous surf and a high risk of rip currents the next several days.
Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, a north swell will combine with building northeast swell to prolong rough seas.
The high surf advisory remains in effect through Friday night, with a high risk of rip currents through Friday night.
A small craft advisory also remains in effect through Saturday night.
Along north facing reefs, expect hazardous surf of 8 to 11 feet to continue through at least today, Thursday. Another pulse of north- northeast swell will arrive today and may raise surf another 1 to 2 feet. Surf may stay hazardous through Saturday. The risk of rip currents will also be high for the next several days along east facing reefs. Surf will likely become hazardous at 12 feet or more by today.
The public is advised to avoid venturing out near reef lines along north and east facing reefs. If you become caught in a rip current, remain calm. Stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore, .then back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
In the small craft advisory, the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point said that combined seas of 9 to 10 feet will build to 11 to 13 feet by today and 12 to 14 feet tomorrow, Friday. Highest seas will be east of the islands.
Winds and rough seas will be hazardous to operators of small craft.
The public and inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.
