Updated 1/27/23 at 7:15 a.m. AST
VI SOURCE WEATHER UPDATES
! MARINE WEATHER ALERTS ARE IN EFFECT
Series: “Extreme Weather in the Caribbean”
Part 1: Caribbean Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Part 2: Caribbean Volcanoes
Part 3: Rip Currents
SATURDAY’S FORECAST
Happy Saturday!
Saturday will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a chance for showers. The high temperature will be approximately 81°F, 27.2°C, with winds out of the northeast at about 15 to 25 mph. The possibility of rain on Saturday is about 40%.
Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with scattered showers. The low temperature will be approximately 75°F, 23.8°C, with winds out of the northeast at 15 to 25 mph. The possibility of rain on Saturday night is 50%.
MARINE FORECAST
A northeasterly swell, along with choppy seas due to strong winds, will impact the region. A “High Rip Current Risk” will be in effect for portions of Puerto Rico and the USVI beginning Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6 a.m. AST until at least Monday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. AST. Additionally, a “Small Craft Advisory” will be in effect for portions of the local waters around our area beginning this morning at 8 a.m. AST until at least Monday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. AST.
“Choppy seas up to 6 feet and northeasterly winds up to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots suggest that Small Craft should exercise caution,” according to an update on Saturday from the NWS.
On Saturday, seas will be 5 to 7 feet, occasional seas up to 9 feet, and a swell period of 8 seconds. Winds will be out of the northeast at about 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 30 knots.
On Saturday night, seas will be 5 to 7 feet, occasional seas up to 9 feet, and a swell period of 8 seconds. Winds will be out of the northeast at about 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 30 knots.
The water temperature is approximately 78.9°F, 26.1°C.
The air over our area is very dry in the upper levels of the atmosphere. Note the shading of yellows indicating dry air over the islands in the water vapor satellite image below.
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
! MARINE WEATHER ALERTS ARE IN EFFECT
Rip Currents: There is a high risk for powerful rip currents across the US Virgin Islands, and portions of Puerto Rico. Learn more about rip current safety in a new interview between the NWS and the VI Source here.
Hazardous Marine Conditions: Seas will be choppy today and tonight due to ongoing breezy conditions, and the arrival of a northeasterly swell. Seas are expected to continue to be choppy throughout this weekend, and boaters are advised to exercise caution. See above for Marine Weather Alerts.
TROPIC WATCH
Tropical Activity: The tropics are quiet. The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended on Nov. 30, 2022. A review of the hurricane season is available here.
A United Kingdom-based organization, “Tropical Storm Risk” (TSR), has issued a prediction for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The group is expecting a below-average hurricane season. Read an interview with TSR here.
OBSERVATIONS
Sunrise: 6:55 a.m.
Sunset: 6:12 p.m.
Ocean water temperature: 78.9°F, 26.1°C
UV index today: 8 out of 10
Friday’s high temperature: 82°F, 27.7°C
Friday’s low temperature: 71°F, 21.6°C
Preparation for Caribbean extreme weather events, such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones, is essential. Residents and visitors in the USVI are encouraged to stay updated on weather events on the V.I. Source Weather page and sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
