313 FXCA62 TJSJ 031821 AFDSJUArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 221 PM AST Fri Oct 3 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
* A strong, long-period northerly swell will continue to produce hazardous marine and beach conditions across the islands through at least early next week. Small Craft Advisories, Rip Current Statements, and High Surf Advisories remain in effect.
* Showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon over will enhance the flooding and lightning threat for the next few days. If thunder roars, stay indoors.
* Across the U.S. Virgin Islands, typical showery pattern during the overnight and morning hours.
* Light winds and warm temperatures are anticipated over the next few days, stay hydrated!
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.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Sunday...
The day began calm, clear, and pleasant, with cloudiness increasing by late morning. Showers first developed across the U.S. Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico before spreading inland toward the Cordillera Central and the southern hills, where very localized rainfall produced up to about one-half inch. Highs reached the low to mid 90s, and heat indices climbed into the upper 100s across western and northern Puerto Rico. Winds stayed light and variable, with conditions largely sea-breeze dominated during the afternoon peak period.
Weather conditions are expected to be fair and tranquil tonight, with mostly clear skies. Winds will stay light under the lingering surface trough, and no land hazard risks are anticipated. Temperatures will remain on the warm side, with overnight lows generally in the upper 70s, and a few coastal locations holding near 80F. Later tonight, the mid-level ridge over Hispaniola and the upper-level low to the west will begin to separate, leaving the region marginally unstable heading into the weekend.
Highs will peak well above normal through the weekend, while warm overnight lows provide little relief. Winds will slowly increase, helping to provide some direction for showers and thunderstorms instead of allowing them to remain nearly stationary. Even so, conditions will continue to be sea-breeze dominated, favoring afternoon activity. With instability remaining marginal and moisture increasing to above 2 inches by late Sunday, afternoon thunderstorms are expected, capable of producing heavy downpours. On Saturday, flooding risk will favor the interior-central to western Puerto Rico, while on Sunday, with more southeast flow, storms will favor the north and northwestern Puerto Rico. Along with localized flooding and dangerous lightning, the strongest storms could also bring gusty winds. No tropical threat is expected during this period, but attention will turn to what may develop next week over the Atlantic.
.LONG TERM...Monday through Friday... .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 502 AM AST Fri Oct 3 2025/
The long-term forecast remains on track, with a wet and unstable pattern for the beginning of the workweek. Recent model guidance indicates an upper-level cutoff low over the region, which is expected to gradually move south and migrate westward by the end of the period. As mentioned in previous discussions, the deterministic guidance from the GFS and ECMWF keeps suggesting an increase in moisture content, with PWAT values likely to range between 2.0 - 2.2 inches (up to or above climatological values). Additionally, ensemble members continue to suggest a wetter and unstable pattern across the CWA on Monday and Tuesday, with Monday through early Tuesday being the wettest period. A difference between the previous solution runs is related to instability, as 500 mb temperatures look slightly warmer (between -6.5 to -7.0 degrees Celsius). Nevertheless, the latest Galvez-Davison Index (GDI) solution keeps suggesting the potential of isolated to scattered thunderstorms across the CWA, but not a widespread scenario. Another factor that may influence the weather pattern is the low-level wind speed, expected to increase and remain E-SE during that period. The most likely scenario remains the same, with an increase in shower and thunderstorm activity across the windward sections of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands throughout Monday and early Tuesday. The deeper convection should be expected in the afternoon, particularly over the mountain ranges and western/northwestern Puerto Rico. Given the expected conditions, the flood threat will remain limited to elevated, and a limited lightning threat is also expected across the aforementioned areas. The gradual improvement of weather conditions is still anticipated by Wednesday, as a drier air mass filtering into the region will promote stability aloft. Nevertheless, this pattern may increase the heat threat, becoming elevated to significant on Wednesday and Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave expected to move off the coast of Africa in the next few days, with a 20% chance of cyclonic formation for the next 7 days. The latest model solutions continue to suggest an increase in moisture content by the end of the forecast period due to this tropical wave approaching the Caribbean Basin, but the variability between them continues high in terms of trajectory and intensity. Hence, the uncertainty remains high for Fridays forecast.
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.AVIATION... (18Z TAFs)
Mainly VFR conditions are expected to prevail. SHRA is expected after 17Z along the Cordillera Central, causing mountain obscuration. VCTS are also expected for TJPS after 17Z, with brief periods of reduced VIS and low ceilings. SHRA in the vicinity of the USVI should cause little to no impact to operations. Winds are light, coming from the NE and below 10 knots.
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.MARINE...
A col near the region will promote a light to gentle variable wind flow across the islands for the next few days. A long-period north to northwesterly swell will continue to produce hazardous marine conditions across the Atlantic waters and local Caribbean passages through at least early next week. As a result, Small Craft Advisories are in effect through at least 6 PM AST Monday due to seas around 6 to 10 feet expected. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
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.BEACH FORECAST...
A strong, long-period northerly swell will continue to produce hazardous beach conditions through at least Monday night along Atlantic exposed coasts, including western to northeastern Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, St. Thomas, and St. John. As a result, there is a high risk of life-threatening rip currents in the mentioned areas.
Additionally, there is a high potential for breaking waves exceeding High Surf Criteria, which may result in localized beach and dune erosion, dangerous swimming conditions, and minor coastal flooding in the most vulnerable areas. Therefore, a High Surf Advisory is in effect for Atlantic-exposed beaches through Monday morning. Based on the latest data and models, the peak of this event is expected this afternoon and evening, coinciding with high tide. Residents and visitors are urged to monitor the beach forecast and follow the beach flag warning system. Beachgoers, do not risk your life, it`s better to stay out of the water throughout the upcoming weekend!
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.SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PR...High Rip Current Risk through late Monday night for PRZ001-002- 005-008-010-012-013.
High Surf Advisory until 6 AM AST Monday for PRZ001-002-005-008- 010-012.
High Rip Current Risk through Saturday afternoon for PRZ011.
VI...High Rip Current Risk through late Monday night for VIZ001.
High Surf Advisory until 6 AM AST Monday for VIZ001.
AM...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM AST Monday for AMZ711-712-716- 723-741-742.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM AST Saturday for AMZ745.
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SHORT TERM/AVIATION...ICP LONG TERM...MNG MARINE/BEACH FORECAST...YZR
NWS SJU Office Area Forecast Discussion