Small craft, high surf alerts remain in effect

With surf expected to remain hazardous throughout the weekend, the Emergency Management Office, in coordination with the National Weather Service on Guam, maintains its previous high surf advisory for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. It also issued a small craft advisory on Friday.

According to EMO, computer wave model guidance and satellite scatterometer analysis at NWS indicate that large northwest swells generated by a storm system east of Japan will continue to affect the Marianas.

Forecast for today features northeast winds at 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots and wind waves six to eight feet and northwest swell—wind generated waves traveling outside generating area—six to eight.

Tomorrow’s northeast winds are forecasted at 15 to 20 knots, with wind waves six to eight feet and north swells four to six feet.

Due to the high risks of dangerous rip currents and high surf, the public is advised to avoid venturing to exposed beaches and reef lines on the north- and west-facing coasts.

EMO reminds the public that these conditions are life threatening for anyone entering the water.

Volcanic dust from Anatahan’s volcano is also expected to cause hazy conditions, EMO added.

The volcanic ash and haze alert also remains in effect, with northeasterly winds continuing to carry particles across the Marianas.

Meanwhile, EMO and the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas disclosed that the U.S. military would be conducting a series of live fire training and aerial survey on Farallon de Mendenilla beginning next week.

Live fire training are scheduled for Feb. 8 to Feb. 11 from 1pm to 6pm; Feb 14 to Feb. 16 from 6am to 11:59pm; and Feb. 18 to 27 from 9am to 11pm. The aerial survey will be conducted on Feb. 28 from 9am to 12pm.

“The general location of these activities will be on the island of Farallon de Mendenilla Training Area from 15,000 feet mean sea level on a 10 nautical mile radius on all quadrants,” EMO said.

Due to the danger imposed by the activities, the public is advised to stay away from this location during the scheduled dates and time.

For more information, contact EMO’s Operation Section at 322-9572/9529/8001-3 ext. 23, 24, 31, VHF Marine Radio Channel 16, HF-Single Side Band Radio on 5.205 or visit the EMO website at www.cnmiemo.gov.mp/.