Winds are forecasted to be East at 22 to 37 km/h or 14 to 23 mph, with possible gusts up to 59 km/h or 37 mph and seas: 2.4 to 3.1 meters or 8 to 10 feet with northeasterly swells up to 1.8 m or 6 feet, triggering a high surf and small craft advisory. Photo: DDM

The Virgin Islands can expect some amount of occasional showers tonight, February 17, 2021, brought about by a strengthening high-pressure (wind) system that will continue to be a dominant feature affecting conditions across the area, according to the Department of Disaster Management. Photo: VINO/File

This is according to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in a weather forecast, which noted that moisture embedded within the high wind flow is expected to trigger quick and brief showers over the area.

Meanwhile, the DDM said elevated and hazardous seas conditions will persist for the next 24 hrs and for the rest of the evening, with evening weather forecasted to be occasionally cloudy with a 60% percent or a moderate chance of showers.

Small Craft Advisory in effect

"Winds are forecasted to be East at 22 to 37 km/h or 14 to 23 mph, with possible gusts up to 59 km/h or 37 mph and seas: 2.4 to 3.1 meters or 8 to 10 feet with northeasterly swells up to 1.8 m or 6 feet," triggering a high surf and small craft advisory, according to the forecast. 

The DDM said fresh to occasionally strong winds, caused by a tightening pressure gradient, will continue to cause hazardous seas.

As such, the threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is high for the [British] Virgin Islands, and there is the potential for significant to extensive impacts, DDM said.

A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and or wind waves and or wind swells of 7 feet or greater are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions.