Updated 4/30/24 at 9:01 p.m. AST
VI SOURCE WEATHER UPDATES
! An unstable weather pattern is on tap for the next few days. Additionally, a northerly swell and gusty winds are generating choppy seas. Small Craft Advisory will be in effect for portions of the waters around the local islands. A High Rip Current Risk will be in effect for portions of Puerto Rico and the USVI. Please read more here.
! A NEW Weekly Weather Update video is available here!
! A NEW Daily Weather Update video for Wednesday, May 1, is available here!
Article: Colorado State University Predicts Extremely Active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Article: La Niña Weather Pattern May Spawn an Active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Series: “Extreme Weather in the Caribbean”
- Part 1: Caribbean Earthquakes and Tsunamis
- Part 2: Caribbean Volcanoes
- Part 3: Rip Currents
- Part 4: Hurricanes
- Part 5: Wildfires
- Part 6: Flash Floods
- An article about earthquakes in the Caribbean is available here!
- An informational video about drought conditions in the USVI is available here!
WEDNESDAY’S WEATHER FORECAST: 5/1/24
Happy Wednesday, and Happy May!
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, an unstable weather pattern is expected on Wednesday and through the week. Wednesday will be mostly sunny and breezy, with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The high temperature will be approximately 87°F, 30.5°C, with gusty winds out of the east at about 18 to 21 mph, gusting up to 26 mph. The chance of rain on Wednesday is approximately 70%. The ground is saturated and any additional heavy rainfall could result in some minor flooding.
Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy, with scattered showers. The low temperature will be approximately 78°F, 25.5°C, and gusty winds out of the east at about 21 mph. The possibility of rain on Wednesday night is approximately 40%.
Below: Infrared satellite imagery obtained at 8:30 p.m. AST on Tuesday indicates a mostly cloudy sky around the USVI and Puerto Rico. Rain and thunderstorms are possible.
MARINE WEATHER UPDATE
The NWS has noted that a northerly swell and gusty winds will continue to generate choppy seas. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for portions of the waters around the local islands. A High Rip Current Risk is in effect for portions of Puerto Rico and the USVI.
On Wednesday, seas will be approximately 5 to 7 feet, with occasional seas up to 9 feet and a swell period of 11 seconds. Winds will be out of the east at about 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25 knots.
On Wednesday night, seas will be approximately 5 to 7 feet, with occasional seas up to 9 feet and a swell period of 11 seconds. Winds will be out of the east-northeast at about 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25 knots.
The water temperature is approximately 83-84°F, approximately 28°C.
Ocean Water Temperature Map from 4/29/24, courtesy of NOAA:
Wave Height Forecast Map courtesy of NWS:
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
Rip Currents: The risk of rip currents is projected to be high across most of the region on Wednesday. A High Rip Current Risk is in effect for portions of Puerto Rico and the USVI.
Clear = Low Rip Current Risk
Yellow = Moderate Rip Current Risk
Red = High Rip Current Risk
Learn more about rip current safety in an interview between the NWS and the VI Source here.
TROPIC WATCH
Tropical Activity: The National Hurricane Center does not expect any cyclonic development over the next seven days.
A possible La Niña Weather Pattern May Spawn an Active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Read more here. Additionally, Colorado State University Predicts Extremely Active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Click here to learn tips on being prepared for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Days Until 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season: 31 Days
OBSERVATIONS
Sunrise: 5:54 a.m.
Sunset: 6:41 p.m.
Ocean water temperature: Approximately 83-84°F, approximately 28°C.
UV index: 10 out of 10 (VERY HIGH)
Tuesday’s high temperature: 87°F, 30.5°C
Tuesday’s low temperature: 77°F, 25°C
Preparation for extreme weather events in the Caribbean, such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones, is important. 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.
