The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has reported that hazardous marine conditions will continue along coastlines of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a powerful swell affects the region. Additionally, forecasters are watching a shift toward more unsettled weather beginning Thursday.
Swell Creates Dangerous Coastal Conditions
While the gusty winds that affected the islands over the past several days will begin to ease, the NWS said that dangerous beach and marine conditions will persist for several days.
“A large, long-period north-northwesterly swell will continue to spread across the Atlantic waters and local Caribbean passages over the next few days,” the NWS said in an update on Wednesday morning.
The NWS said Small Craft Advisories will remain in effect through at least Thursday, while High Rip Current Risk Statements continue through Friday. High Surf Advisories were scheduled to expire on Wednesday night.
The NWS noted that while seas are expected to become calmer by Friday as the current swell gradually fades, another swell event could be on tap later this weekend.
“As the swell diminishes, beach conditions should improve by Friday. Conditions may deteriorate once again next Sunday as the latest model guidance suggests some pulses of another long-period north-northwesterly swell spreading across the Atlantic waters,” the NWS cautioned.
Winds Begin to Ease
The NWS also explained that the strong north-northeasterly winds that affected the islands and have brought cooler temperatures over the past several days are gradually weakening as high pressure over the Atlantic shifts eastward.
As winds turn more easterly on Wednesday night into Thursday, temperatures are expected to begin to warm slightly, with more humidity.
“Cooler than normal temperatures will persist through Wednesday, followed by a gradual warming trend beginning Wednesday night and continuing into Thursday and beyond,” the NWS said.
Unsettled Weather Expected Thursday and Friday
Forecasters say a change in the weather pattern will begin Thursday and Friday as winds shift to the southeast, allowing tropical moisture to move up and into the region ahead of the passage of a trough of low pressure. This will support more frequent showers and periods of locally heavy rainfall Thursday into Friday.
“The primary hazard through this period will be localized excessive rainfall, with a limited risk of urban and poor-drainage flooding,” the NWS warned.
Looking further ahead into next week, the NWS expects a ridge of high pressure to set up across the islands, creating more stable weather conditions.
Stay Informed on the Local Weather
Weather information, including marine weather conditions, is available from the NWS, the NHC, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additionally, the local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page.
Residents and visitors can also find weather alerts and preparedness information from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
