High surf, small craft advisories in effect until tomorrow

The CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point has issued high surf and small craft advisories until Friday as fresh to strong southwest winds and combined seas of 9 to 12 feet will persist the next few days.

The office, based on the information received from the National Weather Service-Tiyan Guam, said numerous showers are expected over Tinian and Saipan with scattered showers over Rota. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are then expected the remainder of the week.

Surf will remain hazardous through at least Friday as southwest winds of 20 to 25 knots and combined seas of 10 to 12 feet will produce hazardous conditions for operators of small craft.

Acting governor Victor B. Hocog therefore is advising the general public and inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, to avoid sailing in these conditions.

Beachgoers and mariners are also advised to avoid venturing near exposed reefs and beaches especially those facing south and west exposures as rip currents will be life-threatening. (PR)