PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FOR ST. MAARTEN

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, August 17, 2017 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) August 18, 2017

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy with isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 31°C / 88°F             Forecast Low: 28°C / 82°F

Sunset Today: 6:38 P.M.                 Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:55 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: East to northeast with a gentle to fresh breeze of 11 to 20 miles per hour and occasional higher gusts.

SYNOPSIS:  

The atmosphere across the region is gradually stabilizing and drying out, therefore precipitation will be restricted during this forecast period. Meanwhile, the Atlantic high pressure ridge will maintain brisk easterly winds.

Seas are expected to peak near 7 feet before deteriorating on Friday night. Small craft operators and sea bathers should exercise caution.

STATE OF THE SEA:  Moderate         WAVES/SWELLS: up to 7 feet

SPECIAL FEATURE:

…Low pressure area east of the Windward Islands expected to become a Tropical Cyclone later today or tonight…

At 11:00 am today potential tropical cyclone nine was centered near latitude 13.1 north, longitude 54.1 west or about 643 miles east southeast of St. Maarten. This system is moving toward the west near 17 mph with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph and higher gusts.

  *Formation chance through 48 hours…high…80 percent.

  *Formation chance through 5 days…high…90 percent.

The disturbance poses no direct threat to St. Maarten, however, The Meteorological Department of St Maarten (MDS) will continue to monitor its progress.

OUTLOOK through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.
 

FORECASTER: Albert