Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Juan, PR

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430 FXCA62 TJSJ 290906 AFDSJU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 506 AM AST Wed May 29 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Warm to hot conditions will persist today across the region. A Heat Advisory will be in effect today for the north and west coast of Puerto Rico, including St. Croix. Moisture content is expected to remain normal to above normal, enhancing the potential for afternoon convective activity across northwest Puerto Rico. A tropical wave is expected to approach the region by Thursday, however, the bulk of moisture should remain over the Caribbean waters. Drier air is expected to filter into the area by the end of the workweek, accompanied by Saharan dust particles.
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&& .SHORT TERM...
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Today through Friday... Satellite and radar data indicated thunderstorms developing across the Atlantic and Caribbean waters through early morning hours. Some of this activity moved over eastern PR, and the Doppler radar estimated over an inch of rain across el Yunque area. Minimum temperatures were from the mid 60s across the higher elevations to the upper 70s and low 80s across the lower elevations of the islands. A Saharan Air Layer is weakening and this should allow for moisture to increase slightly across the region today, but hazy conditions should return once again on Friday. Moisture content is expected to remain at normal to above normal levels through Thursday, when a tropical wave moves across the Caribbean waters. This will aid in the development of showers and thunderstorms across the region. A drier air mass with suspended Saharan dust will follow on Friday, but the local effects combined with the available low level moisture will trigger afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms once again across western PR. In addition, warm to hot temperatures are expected through the short term period under moist east to southeasterly winds. Heat indices are expected to range from 104 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit, mainly along the lower elevations of western and northern Puerto Rico, and St. Croix. Therefore, there is a Heat Advisory (NPWSJU) in effect for today across these areas. .LONG TERM...Saturday through Wednesday... A surface high pressure in the central Atlantic will promote south southeasterly winds through much of the long-term-period. Plenty of abundant tropical moisture moving into the local area will help to maintain a wet and unstable pattern across the islands. The latest Precipitable Water Content analysis (PWAT) suggest values of 2.3 to 2.5 inches between Sunday through Monday. This is in response of the development of a surface trough west of the region that will enhance the shower and thunderstorm potential across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sufficient moisture in combination with daytime heating and local effects, will lead to convective activity across the central interior and northwestern portions of Puerto Rico during the afternoon hours. Therefore, there is a limited to elevated risk of isolated flash flooding, urban and small stream flooding, river rises, and mudslides. By Tuesday into Wednesday as the surface trough lingers north of the area, moisture from the Caribbean waters will continue to be lifted and moved over the islands. Winds are expected to veer from the south by Tuesday in response to the combination of the surface trough and a approaching tropical wave. With this scenario the potential for moderate to heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms remains high. Despite the anticipated weather scenario, warmer to hot temperatures are expected each day. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s to low 90s. Meanwhile, overnight temperatures will remain in the upper 70s to low 80s along the coastal and urban areas of the islands. Heat indices may reach the mid to upper 100s during the period, especially during the mid-morning to early afternoon hours.
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&& .AVIATION...
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(06z TAFs) Mainly VFR conditions expected. However, SHRA en route from the Leeward Islands could move at times thru 29/12 across TIST/TISX. Also, diurnally induced afternoon SHRA/TSRA may cause tempo MVFR conds at TJSJ/TJBQ btw 29/17z-21z. Winds will increase from the east at 10-15 kt with higher gusts and sea breeze variations after 29/14z.
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&& .MARINE...
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A moderate east to southeast wind flow will prevail across the region over the next few days. Showers and isolated thunderstorms associated with the trailing moisture from a tropical wave which exited the region and a surface trough just east of the area us will continue to affect the regional waters and local passages. The next tropical wave, located near the Lesser Antilles, is forecast to approach the regional waters later today, with the bulk of associated moisture expected to remain well to the south across the Caribbean Sea.
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&& .BEACH FORECAST...
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There is a moderate risk of rip currents across the northwestern beaches of Puerto Rico, and the beaches of St. Croix. Elsewhere, there is a low risk. Moderate to heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible each afternoon mainly across the northwestern waters of Puerto Rico.
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&& .SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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PR...Heat Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 5 PM AST this afternoon for PRZ005-008-010. VI...None. AM...None.
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&& $$ SHORT TERM...DSR LONG TERM....GRS AVIATION...DSR