April 17, 2003 – Showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue across the Virgin Islands at least through Thursday evening. The unstable atmospheric conditions are a result of a strong low- to upper-level trough extending from the local area northeast and then north into a low-pressure system in the Atlantic.
The conditions have caused several minor accidents, widespread flooding in low-lying areas, some rock slides and at least one closing.
Late Thursday afternoon, John Leipzig, chancellor of the University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas campus, announced that classes on that campus were being canceled as of 4 p.m.
"This decision has been made due to the continuation of inclement weather conditions on St. Thomas," a release from UVI stated. "Flash flooding has been forecast, and it is expected that rain will continue through midnight."
UVI St. Thomas faculty and staff were told that they could leave campus as soon as their classes ended and they had secured classrooms and offices against "the intrusion of water."
Classes on the St. Croix campus were not canceled.
With more rainy days expected through the Easter weekend, the potential for flooding remains high, according to National Weather Service forecasters in San Juan.
Marine conditions in the vicinity of strong thunderstorms can become dangerous. The thunderstorms can produce high seas, waterspouts, torrential rain and strong gusty winds.
Variably cloudy skies are forecast through Thursday night with an 80 percent probability of rain and prevailing southeasterly winds of 10-15 miles per hour.
The Friday forecast calls for continued partly cloudy skies in the morning becoming variably cloudy in the afternoon. Intermittent showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the next few days.
St. Croix reported significant rainfall Thursday morning; on St. Thomas, the heaviest rain occurred at mid-day.
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