The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for the U.S. Virgin Islands from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Wednesday due to rapidly deteriorating and extremely rough seas and hazardous surf conditions.

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches, producing dangerous rip currents and localized beach erosion.

According to the National Weather Service, long-period northerly swells will build across the Atlantic waters then quickly spread across the local passages starting this evening. The swells are expected to peak early on Tuesday and gradually diminish by Wednesday morning.

These swells, as well as increasing northeasterly winds, will continue to create rough seas and hazardous surf conditions along the northwest through northern exposed coastlines of the Virgin Islands.

The National Weather Service is forecasting breaking waves of 10 to 16 feet or larger along the northern exposed coastlines.

Because of the violent wave action, VITEMA and the National Weather Service are advising beach goers and inexperienced surfers and swimmers to stay out of the water until these hazardous surf conditions subside. There may be large breaking waves surging upon the shore, so beach goers should avoid being near the shoreline and stay off of rock formations, according to VITEMA.