MET warns of rough seas

In a statement to the media yesterday, the Met Office said “Currently, wave heights are reaching 3.0 metres in open waters and up to 1.0 metre in sheltered areas. These above normal marine conditions are attributed to relatively strong winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere, which have strengthened further over the last 24 hours and continue to agitate the surface of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

“Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models forecast these elevated low level winds to persist for at least the next three to four days and as such, sea conditions are expected to continue to be disturbed during this period.

Over the next 24 hours, wave heights in open waters, especially north and east coasts, are forecast to average up to 3.0 metres, however, individual waves particularly along the northeast coast Tobago may reach in excess of 3.0 metres at times.” The Met Office also advised that choppy seas will be experienced in sheltered areas, but particularly in Tobago.

Conditions may worsen during high tide.

Sea bathers, small craft operators and other marine interests are urged to be vigilant.