


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Juan, PR
Issued by NWS San Juan, PR
655 FXCA62 TJSJ 150859 AFDSJU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 459 AM AST Sat Mar 15 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Today`s instability will decrease as the trough moves away from the Northeast Caribbean. However, afternoon convection will result in localized flooding this afternoon. Maximum temperatures in urban and coastal areas will range between the low and mid 80s, with localized areas reaching the upper 80s, and in the mountain areas in the mid to upper 70s. Another mid-to upper- level trough will amplify from Tuesday onward, with moisture ramping up from Wednesday onward. && .SHORT TERM...Today through Monday... Mainly fair conditions prevailed last night, with few clouds moving over the local area. At this time, stations reported minimum temperatures slightly colder than yesterday, with lower elevations of low to mid 70s while higher terrains observed low to mid 60s. Today will be the wettest day of the short-term period, with a more stable pattern for the start of the week. The stationary front remains east of the region, along with a low surface pressure north of the CWA that will keep winds variable with a northeasterly component. The latest model guidance suggests that Precipitable Water values will remain near above normal values (1.4 - 1.5 inches), with enough moisture content for the development of showers today. Eastern portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have the highest chance of precipitation in morning. The combination of local effect, diurnal heating, and sea breeze convergence will enhance convection activity in the afternoon, mainly over the interior and southern portions of Puerto Rico. There`s a high chance of observing ponding of water in roadways, urban, and poorly drained areas, with isolated urban and small streams flooding. A drier air mass will filter into the region early Sunday, bringing stability and fair conditions into the CWA through Monday. Even though PWAT values will decrease to below normal values, there`s a medium chance of shower development over interior PR in the afternoon. As the upper-level trough continues moving away from the local area, warmer 500 mb temperatures and drier air in the mid levels will inhibit deep convection activity and lower the chance of thunderstorm activity for the rest of the forecast period. Temperatures will remain seasonal today, with maximum temperatures in urban and coastal areas in the low to mid 80s, with localized areas reaching the upper 80s, and higher elevations in the mid to upper 70s. .LONG TERM...Tuesday through Saturday... On Tuesday, the interaction between an induced surface low in the Central Atlantic and a cold front moving eastward across the Western Atlantic will create light and calm winds across the islands. The Total Precipitable Water (TPW) is expected to be around one inch, which is below normal and drier than usual for this time of year. Additionally, a mid to upper-level trough will approach from the west, potentially enhancing afternoon convection driven by the sea breeze. Moisture levels will begin to rise on Wednesday as the frontal boundary draws nearer to the islands. From Thursday onward, moisture will pool from the east to east-southeast due to the pre- frontal trough on Thursday and Friday. This will be followed by additional moisture being lifted by the low over the Central Atlantic around Saturday. Instability will be enhanced as the mid- to upper-level trough also amplifies over the Northeast Caribbean. && .AVIATION... (06z TAFs) Mainly VFR conds will prevail at all terminals. Showers associated with the frontal boundary will enhance -RA/+RA for IST and ISX around 15/13z and SHRA for JPS after 15/19z, which may reduce CIGs and lower VIS with temp MVFR conds. Mainly N-NE winds from 5 - 10 kt btw 15/13-15/23z, then calm to light winds after 15/23z. && .MARINE... A surface low and associated front moving over the western Atlantic will maintain light to moderate northeast winds for the next few days. A long-period northwesterly swell will continue to subside throughout the day. Another northeast swell will bring hazardous seas once again late tonight into early next week across the Atlantic waters and passages. && .BEACH FORECAST... A subsiding northerly swell will result in moderate to high rip current risk along the northern coast of Puerto Rico, from Rincon to Fajardo, as well as northern exposed beaches of Culebra, St Thomas and St. John. Another pulse of a long-period northerly swell will spread across the Atlantic waters and local passages later tonight, increasing breaking waves and promoting life- threatening rip currents once again. Therefore, the High Rip Current Risk was extended through late Sunday night. && .SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PR...High Rip Current Risk through late Sunday night for PRZ001-002- 005-008-010-012. VI...High Rip Current Risk through late Sunday night for VIZ001. AM...None. && $$ SHORT TERM/AVIATION...MNG SYNOPSIS/LONG TERM/MARINE/BEACH FORECAST...CAM