


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Juan, PR
Issued by NWS San Juan, PR
947 FXCA62 TJSJ 131700 AFDSJU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 100 PM AST Fri Jun 13 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Diurnally induced afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop mainly over western PR each afternoon through Saturday. The flood risk increases in general across the rest of PR from Sunday through Tuesday due to an upper-level trough. * Elevated fire danger risk expected through Saturday, increasing wildfire riskespecially in southern Puerto Rico. Please avoid outdoor burning and stay alert. * Hazy skies expected to return once again on Sunday due to a weak Saharan Air Layer. However, the overall moisture content will increase due to the proximity of the upper-level trough. && .SHORT TERM...Today through Sunday... Sunny to partly cloudy skies and hazy conditions were observed once again today across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Showers were developing around noon over west/southwest Puerto Rico, and from streamers downwind of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Stronger showers with isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop over western PR and over the Mona Passage later this afternoon. Maximum temperatures were from the upper 80s to low 90s across most lower elevations of the islands, and from the upper 70s to mid-80s across the higher elevations. The wind was from the east to northeast between 15 and 25 mph with sea breeze variations and higher gusts across coastal areas. A broad surface high pressure north of the region will remain in place for most of the short-term period, this will continue to promote moderate to fresh trade winds across the region. However, patches of shallow moisture embedded in these trades will reach the islands from time to time. A departing Saharan Air Layer (SAL) and a drier mid-to upper-level air mass will continue to promote overall fair weather conditions across the islands, with the exception of afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms over western PR today and Saturday. The overall precipitable water content is expected to remain below normal levels, around 1.50 inches each day. A weaker SAL event is expected on Sunday, but conditions will gradually become more favorable for shower and thunderstorm development as an upper level-through develops just north of the area. This trough is expected to deepen and form a closed low northwest of the region by Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning. Temperatures at 500 mb will drop to near -8C to -9C, and moisture will increase in the mid-to upper-levels. PWAT values are expected to increase around 2.00 inches, which is above normal levels for this time of the year. Therefore, a wetter and more unstable weather pattern is expected on Sunday afternoon, and will likely continue through early next week. Minimum temperatures are expected to range from the mid-70s and low 80s across the lower elevations of the islands to the mid-60s across the higher elevations of central PR through at least tonight, and slightly cooler during the weekend. Maximum temperatures will continue to range from the upper 80s to low 90s across coastal and urban areas of the lower elevations of the islands, to the mid-70s and low to mid-80s across the higher elevations. Heat indices will likely range between 102F-106F each day in the lower elevations of western and north central PR. .LONG TERM...Monday through Friday... /From prev discussion issued at 500 AM Fri Jun 13 2025/ The workweek will begin wet and unstable, with abundant moisture and atmospheric instability supporting frequent showers and thunderstorms through at least Wednesday. An upper-level low lingering over the region will keep mid-level temperatures cooler and weaken the trade wind cap, allowing rainfall potential to rise, especially on Monday and Tuesday, when precipitable water values are forecast to exceed 2.0 inchesabove normal for this time of year. Moisture levels are expected to decrease to near- normal values, ranging from 1.5 to 1.9 inches, for the remainder of the week, with Thursday night likely being the driest period. At the surface, a strong Bermuda-Azores High will maintain moderate to locally strong easterly winds, producing breezy to windy conditions, especially along the coast and exposed areas. Temperatures will remain cooler through Tuesday, both during the day and at night, before gradually warming from Wednesday onward as sunshine increases and rainfall chances decrease. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will be most frequent and organized early in the week. Overnight and early morning activity will primarily impact eastern Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, shifting to central, western, and northern Puerto Rico, including parts of the San Juan metropolitan area, from late morning through the evening. Heavy or prolonged rainfall may lead to urban and small stream flooding, as well as localized flash flooding. As soils become saturated, the risk of landslides will increase. Later in the week, conditions are expected to return to a more typical pattern of scattered showers. Overall, risks from excessive heat, strong winds, and lightning remain low. However, the elevated threat of heavy rainfall and localized flooding will continue through midweek before gradually easing. And importantly, no tropical cyclone formation are expected over the next seven daysproviding us with a much-needed window of calm and peace of mind. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFs) Mainly VFR conditions are expected to prevail across all terminals through the forecast period. However, fm 13/18z-22z, locally induced SHRA/TSRA expected to develop over western PR, which should cause mostly VCTS at TJBQ. HZ due to Saharan dust will continue to diminish across the local area, and VSBY should remain P6SM. The 13/12z TJSJ sounding indicated ENE winds up to 19 kt blo FL050. && .MARINE... The Bermuda-Azores High will continue to promote moderate to locally fresh easterly winds across the northeast Caribbean through early next week, leading to choppy seas. A tropical wave will move south of the local islands from today through Saturday, followed by another wave expected to approach the region by mid- week. In the meantime, increasing moisture and instability associated with an upper-level trough will likely result in a rise in thunderstorm activity late this weekend into early next week. && .BEACH FORECAST... Breezy conditions will keep a moderate risk of dangerous rip currents along most north, east, and south facing beaches over the next few days, especially in areas exposed to open water. Western beaches that are more sheltered will have a lower risk, but stronger currents can still form near piers, jetties, and channels. Only a few showers or storms are expected today and Saturday, but anyone visiting western Puerto Rico should stay alert for lightning from isolated thunderstorms. Increasing moisture and instability from an upper-level system will likely lead to more thunderstorm activity late this weekend into early next week, so keep an eye on the forecast. Looking ahead, a high risk of rip currents is possible around mid-week next week for St. Croix. Always swim near a lifeguard, avoid strong currents, and stay alert to changing weather and gusty winds. && .SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PR...None. VI...None. AM...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...DSR LONG TERM....ICP AVIATION...DSR