PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FOR ST. MAARTEN
DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) July 06, 2017
WEATHER:
This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy, hazy and breezy with local showers possible.
Forecast High: 31°C / 88°F Forecast Low: 27°C / 81°F
Sunset Today: 6:52 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:42 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
This afternoon through Thursday midday: East to east-northeast with a gentle to fresh breeze of 09 to 18 mph and higher gusts possible.
SYNOPSIS:
A drier air mass, filled with Saharan dust, is spreading across the northeastern Caribbean and therefore limiting significant precipitation. However, patches of low-level clouds moving in the easterly wind flow may cause local showers during this forecast period.
Moderate seas, peaking near 7 feet, are expected for the next couple of days. Small craft operators and sea bathers should exercise caution.
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate WAVES/SWELLS: 5 to 7 feet
SPECIAL FEATURE:
Satellite images indicate that the circulation associated with the area of low pressure centered about 800 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands has become better defined, but the associated thunderstorm activity is not well organized. This system has the potential to become a tropical depression today or Thursday before conditions become unfavorable for tropical cyclone formation. The low has been moving little, but it should begin a west-northwest track at 10 to 15 mph today.
This system does not currently pose a threat to St Maarten and will continue to be monitored by the Meteorological Department of St Maarten (MDS).
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...70 percent.
OUTLOOK through Friday midday: Partly cloudy, hazy and breezy with brief local showers possible.
FORECASTER: Connor
