Small craft advisory is a term used in meteorology and maritime contexts to refer to a weather warning issued to caution small boats and vessels about hazardous weather conditions on the water. The advisory is issued by forecasting agencies like the National Weather Service to protect waterborne recreational and commercial activities from potentially dangerous situations.
With a focus on small craft, which includes sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats, the advisory serves as a means to inform mariners about weather conditions that could pose a risk to their safety. It typically indicates conditions that may be beyond the capabilities of smaller vessels to handle, leaving them vulnerable to potential hazards such as rough seas, strong currents, high winds, or storms.
The advisory provides specific information about the anticipated weather conditions, duration, and geographical areas affected. This allows mariners to take necessary precautions or make informed decisions, such as delaying or canceling voyages, taking refuge in safer locations, or adjusting navigational plans.
In general, a small craft advisory is issued when winds reach or are expected to reach speeds between 20 to 33 knots (23 to 38 mph), with wave heights ranging from 4 to 7 feet. However, the exact criteria for issuing the advisory may vary depending on location and forecast models used by the relevant weather agencies.
Overall, the small craft advisory plays a crucial role in promoting safety on the water by alerting mariners to potentially hazardous weather conditions that could endanger smaller vessels and those aboard them.
