Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Juan, PR

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
510 FXCA62 TJSJ 121800 AFDSJU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 200 PM AST Sat Jul 12 2025 .KEY MESSAGES...
-- Changed Discussion --
* Moderate concentrations of Saharan dust particles will continue to limit rain chances and promote hazy skies, reduced visibilities and poor air quality across Puerto Rico and the U.S.Virgin Islands through Sunday early afternoon hours. * Mainly low risk of rip currents Sunday and Monday. By Tuesday, increasing winds will result in a moderate risk of rip currents to return across most local beaches. * A tropical wave will approach the islands by the middle of the week, increasing moisture and the potential to observe showers and thunderstorms.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM...
-- Changed Discussion --
Tonight through Monday... Partly cloudy and hazy skies prevailed this morning across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with mainly rain-free conditions. Daytime temperatures have reached the upper 80s to low 90s across urban and coastal areas of the islands, while remaining in the low 80s across the higher elevations. Surface weather stations have registered heat index values ranging from the upper 90s to 109 degrees Fahrenheit, and a Heat Advisory remains in effect until 5 PM AST this afternoon for the urban areas and lower elevations of Puerto Rico. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat, wear light clothing, and check on vulnerable people and pets. For the rest of today, the latest models suggest the development of diurnally induced isolated to scattered showers across the western sectors of Puerto Rico; however, if any occur, no significant rainfall accumulations are expected. A lingering Saharan Air Layer (SAL) with moderate concentrations will continue to promote hazy skies and poor air quality across the islands through at least midday tomorrow. The rest of the period remains largely on track. A TUTT-low north of the area will gradually move westward, enhancing diurnally induced afternoon shower activity over western Puerto Rico again tomorrow (Sunday). However, precipitable water content is expected to remain below normal (below 1.50 inches). As a result, showers will remain very localized in western Puerto Rico, driven by local effects, and the flood risk will likely remain from none to limited. Early next week, a trade wind perturbation will approach the region, increasing PWAT values to around 1.6 inches and improving chances for more widespread shower activity across the islands. .LONG TERM...Tuesday through Saturday... .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 438 AM AST Sat Jul 12 2025/ A trade wind perturbation is expected to arrive into the area on Tuesday, increasing moisture into the area and the potential to observe shower activity across the islands. The forecast have not changed a lot with the previous model guidance, and continues to suggest the arrival of a broad tropical wave by mid-week. The latest precipitable water content analysis suggest values up to 2.10 inches by Wednesday afternoon. Therefore, showers and thunderstorms are likely over portions of central, western and eastern Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands from Wednesday morning through the evening hours. This fast moving wave is expected to exit the region by late Wednesday, followed by a atmospheric perturbation on Thursday. By the end of the workweek, a drier air mass accompanied by another pulse of Saharan Air layer is anticipated to arrive into the area by Thursday, following the atmospheric perturbation passage over the region. This event will limit the shower activity across the islands and will promote hazy skies, reduced visibilities and deteriorated air quality throughout the area until the weekend. Hot temperatures will continue across the region next week. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 80s to low 90s along the coastal and urban areas, and around the mid 80s in the higher elevations. Heat indices could reach values above 105 degrees Fahrenheit each day, particularly over the northern, western and southern municipalities of Puerto Rico. Residents and visitors, please be aware of these conditions and plan accordingly if planning to do outdoor activities under sun exposure.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION...
-- Changed Discussion --
(18Z TAFs) Expect VFR conditions across all terminals during the next 24 hours. Hazy skies and visibilities between 6 and 9 SM will continue thru at least tomorrow early afternoon due to a SAL. A few occasional trade wind SHRA/-SHRA will affect the local islands, without ruling out a few over the TAFs. Expect winds from the E/ENE at 15-20 kt with higher gusts and sea breeze, bcmg calm to light/VRB aft 12/23z. Expect a similar weather and wind pattern tomorrow, but with an increase in SHRA/TSRA during the aft 13/17z.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .MARINE...
-- Changed Discussion --
A surface high pressure across the central Atlantic will continue to promote moderate easterly winds across the region. Seas will range from 2 to 4 feet across the onshore waters and local passages, and from 3 to 5 feet across the offshore waters. Moderate concentrations of Saharan dust will linger through early Sunday afternoon, promoting hazy skies, reduced visibility, and deteriorated air quality. Moderate to fresh easterly winds are expected to return by early next week, and small craft operators will likely be encouraged to exercise caution. A tropical wave will approach the islands by the middle of next week, increasing moisture and the potential to observe some showers and thunderstorms.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .BEACH FORECAST...
-- Changed Discussion --
A moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents will likely persist tonight and Sunday across the northern beaches of Puerto Rico. A low risk is expected elsewhere; however, life-threatening rip currents may still occur, especially near groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. Always swim near a lifeguard and follow the advice of local beach patrols and flag warning systems. Starting Tuesday, a moderate risk of rip currents is anticipated to return to most beaches, accompanied by increasing winds. Warm and hazy conditions are expected to persist through the weekend, with heat index values likely exceeding 100F. Stay well hydrated, seek shade frequently, and avoid outdoor activity during peak sun hours.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
PR...Heat Advisory until 5 PM AST this afternoon for PRZ001>005-007- 008-010-011. VI...None. AM...None.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ SHORT TERM/MARINE/BEACH FORECAST...YZR LONG TERM...GRS AVIATION...CAM