Sinaproc issues wave warning Nov. 8 - 12
The Panamanian Pacific Beaches will receive swell for the holidays! The waves, expected to arrive Wednesday night through the weekend, have caused Panama’s National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) to issue a prevention warning.
The warning, effective from November 8th, 2017, lasts until the end of the long weekend, Sunday, November 12th (as will the waves). The holiday brings more people to the beach, often intoxicated. Sinaproc warns, with an aim to keep people from drowning, of high waves (between 1 and 2.5 meters) and wind, at a max speed of about of 23 kilometers per hour.
That being said, in addition to waves of up to 2.5 meters, the seconds will be between 16 to 22 seconds, creating good conditions for surfers is the wind remains at bay. These sea conditions are expected in Panama West on the Azuero peninsula, Coiba Island and throughout the province of Chiriqui.
CEO of Sinaproc cautioned that the waves that will hit the Pacific Coast over the weekend will coincide with high tides. The combination often creates more problems as the tide rises quickly. While the National Emergency Operations Center will remain diligent, monitoring vulnerable areas, it is important to look out for one another and for the rising tide! Mitigate risk by not swimming while intoxicated, and encouraging others not to, as saving a drowning person is difficult and often a great risk for the person attempting to save them. If you encounter a riptide it is important to know how to handle it. Read more about riptides and how to escape them here.
Wishing the Beaches another safe and happy holiday as we continue to celebrate a month full of Panamanian pride!
Forecast for the eastern coasts of the Pacific (Gulf of Panama, Panama Bay and Darién):
Wednesday 8: waves of 60 centimeters to 91 centimeters with intervals of 20 to 22 seconds.
Thursday 9: waves of 60 centimeters to 91 centimeters with intervals of 18 to 20 seconds.
Friday 10: waves of 1.21 meters at 1.82 meters with intervals of 17 to 18 seconds.
Saturday 11: waves of 91 centimeters to 1.52 meters with intervals of 15 to 16 seconds.
Sunday 12: waves of 91 centimeters to 1.52 meters with intervals of 17 to 19 seconds.
Forecast for Azuero, Coiba Island and Chiriqui:
Wednesday November 8: waves of 90 centimeters to 1.21 meters with intervals of 18 to 20 seconds.
Thursday 9: waves of 1.5 to 2.43 meters with intervals of 17 to 19 seconds.
Friday 10: waves from 1.21 to 2.43 meters with intervals of 15 to 17 seconds.
Saturday 11: waves from 1.21 to 1.82 meters with intervals of 14 to 16 seconds.
Sunday 12: waves of 1.5 to 2.43 meters with intervals of 16 to 18 seconds.
