* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Surf Warning, large breaking waves up to 18 ft and occasionally higher in some isolated areas. For the High Rip Current Risk, life- threatening rip currents. * WHERE...For the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Surf Warning, the most vulnerable areas for high surf and beach erosion include Pinones along Road 187, Parcelas Suarez, Villas del Mar, and Villa Cristiana in Loiza; Fortuna in Luquillo; Pueblo and Tamarindo in Aguadilla; Barrio Obrero, Pueblo and Jareaito in Arecibo; Las Boca in Barceloneta; Machuca in Manati; Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja; Ocean Park in San Juan; and Barrio Espinal in Aguada. For the High Rip Current Risk, north and east facing beaches. * WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 6 AM AST Sunday. For the High Surf Warning, until 6 AM AST Monday. For the High Rip Current Risk, through Tuesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...For the Coastal Flood Warning, large breaking waves will result in moderate to significant beach erosion and considerable erosion of dune structures. Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property and structural damage near the waterfront and shoreline, with a higher threat near the time of high tide. Numerous road closures and possible flooding of vehicles. Lives may be at risk for people who put themselves in harm's way. For the High Surf Warning, high waves may overtop rocks and jetties, sweep swimmers or bystanders into fast-moving currents, and knock people off their feet. In addition, strong surf can erode beaches and dunes, breach seawalls or dunes in vulnerable spots, and worsen rip current risk. Swimming and wading are strongly discouraged.. For the High Rip Current Risk, rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Next high tides: La Puntilla, San Juan at 6:52 PM AST (1.68 ft); Arecibo at 6:19 PM AST (1.81 ft), and Crash Boat, Aguadilla at 6:11 PM AST (1.61 ft).
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Surf Warning, large breaking waves up to 18 ft and occasionally higher in some isolated areas. For the High Rip Current Risk, life- threatening rip currents. * WHERE...For the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Surf Warning, the most vulnerable areas for high surf and beach erosion include Pinones along Road 187, Parcelas Suarez, Villas del Mar, and Villa Cristiana in Loiza; Fortuna in Luquillo; Pueblo and Tamarindo in Aguadilla; Barrio Obrero, Pueblo and Jareaito in Arecibo; Las Boca in Barceloneta; Machuca in Manati; Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja; Ocean Park in San Juan; and Barrio Espinal in Aguada. For the High Rip Current Risk, north and east facing beaches. * WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 6 AM AST Sunday. For the High Surf Warning, until 6 AM AST Monday. For the High Rip Current Risk, through Tuesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...For the Coastal Flood Warning, large breaking waves will result in moderate to significant beach erosion and considerable erosion of dune structures. Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property and structural damage near the waterfront and shoreline, with a higher threat near the time of high tide. Numerous road closures and possible flooding of vehicles. Lives may be at risk for people who put themselves in harm's way. For the High Surf Warning, high waves may overtop rocks and jetties, sweep swimmers or bystanders into fast-moving currents, and knock people off their feet. In addition, strong surf can erode beaches and dunes, breach seawalls or dunes in vulnerable spots, and worsen rip current risk. Swimming and wading are strongly discouraged.. For the High Rip Current Risk, rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Next high tides: La Puntilla, San Juan at 6:52 PM AST (1.68 ft); Arecibo at 6:19 PM AST (1.81 ft), and Crash Boat, Aguadilla at 6:11 PM AST (1.61 ft).
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Surf Warning, large breaking waves up to 18 ft and occasionally higher in some isolated areas. For the High Rip Current Risk, life- threatening rip currents. * WHERE...For the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Surf Warning, the most vulnerable areas for high surf and beach erosion include Pinones along Road 187, Parcelas Suarez, Villas del Mar, and Villa Cristiana in Loiza; Fortuna in Luquillo; Pueblo and Tamarindo in Aguadilla; Barrio Obrero, Pueblo and Jareaito in Arecibo; Las Boca in Barceloneta; Machuca in Manati; Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja; Ocean Park in San Juan; and Barrio Espinal in Aguada. For the High Rip Current Risk, north and east facing beaches. * WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 6 AM AST Sunday. For the High Surf Warning, until 6 AM AST Monday. For the High Rip Current Risk, through Tuesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...For the Coastal Flood Warning, large breaking waves will result in moderate to significant beach erosion and considerable erosion of dune structures. Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property and structural damage near the waterfront and shoreline, with a higher threat near the time of high tide. Numerous road closures and possible flooding of vehicles. Lives may be at risk for people who put themselves in harm's way. For the High Surf Warning, high waves may overtop rocks and jetties, sweep swimmers or bystanders into fast-moving currents, and knock people off their feet. In addition, strong surf can erode beaches and dunes, breach seawalls or dunes in vulnerable spots, and worsen rip current risk. Swimming and wading are strongly discouraged.. For the High Rip Current Risk, rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Next high tides: La Puntilla, San Juan at 6:52 PM AST (1.68 ft); Arecibo at 6:19 PM AST (1.81 ft), and Crash Boat, Aguadilla at 6:11 PM AST (1.61 ft).
The National Weather Service issues alerts in different categories to indicate the severity of storms and if the public should take immediate action to prevent the loss of life or property or be aware of the potential of the same.
A weather warning is issued when severe weather conditions are occuring or imminent and there is danger to life and/or property. The warning will include what action should be taken including evacuation or shelter in place and should be heeded immediately. Warnings are usually issued for a small, specific area and for a definite period of time.
A weather watch is an alert issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. A weather watch means that severe weather is possible in the area, so it is important to stay tuned to the latest forecasts and be prepared for potential storms.
The purpose of a weather watch is to provide advance warning to people in the affected area so that they can take necessary precautions. It is important to remember that a weather watch does not mean that severe weather will definitely occur, but simply that there is a higher chance of it happening.
If you live in an area where severe weather is common, it may be wise to have a plan in place for what you will do if a storm hits. Make sure you have plenty of food and water stored, as well as flashlights, batteries, and other supplies. You may also want to consider evacuating if necessary.
An advisory means the conditions are likely to occur. These are typically used for less severe weather events like frost or winds but can be used for other types of severe weather.
A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fires and any fire which does start could spread rapidly. These are often issued after drought conditions, when humidity is very low and especially when there are high or erratic winds. The possibility of lightning is also a determining factor. Fire fighting agencies often will increase their staffing and equipment resources due to the forecast risk. For the public, a Red Flag Warning often means high fire danger leading to restrictions or bans on outdoor burning including burn piles, burn barrels and campfires. Use of anything which may produce sparks, including outdoor lawn equipment, chainsaws and welding, may be restricted or prohibited.
The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings vary with each Weather Service office’s warning area based on the local vegetation type, topography, and distance from major water sources. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed.
An enhanced version of the warning, called extreme red flag warning, may be issued. This means that conditions for fire growth and behavior are extremely dangerous due to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, long duration, and very dry fuels.