DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, September 18, 2019 @12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) September 19, 2019
……A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE……
WEATHER: This Afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy with brief isolated showers possible.
Forecast High: 33°C / 91°F Forecast Low: 28°C / 82°F
Sunset Today: 6:12 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS: This Afternoon through Thursday midday: East southeast to southeast with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph.
SYNOPSIS: Mostly hazy skies will prevail today due to the presence of Saharan dust. Precipitation will be restricted during this forecast period.
Long period northerly swells are expected to affect local waters, as a result a small craft advisory remains in effect for St. Maarten.
Small craft operators and sea bathers are advised to exercise caution
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate to rough WAVES/SWELLS: 6 to 8 feet
SPECIAL FEATURES: At 11:00 am the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located near latitude 14.6 North, longitude 49.2 West, or about 830 miles southeast of St. Maarten. Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). A west-northwestward motion at a slightly faster forward speed is expected over the next few days.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Jerry is forecast to be a hurricane by the late Thursday, with little change in strength anticipated on Friday and Saturday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).
On the present forecast track, the center of Jerry is expect to pass approximately 105 miles to the north of St. Maarten on Friday night. Effects of this system could begin on St. Maarten by Friday. Watches and warning will be issued later today.
Residents and the General public should put plans in place and continue to be alert and monitor the progress of this system.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor the progress of this system and update the public accordingly.
OUTLOOK through Friday midday: Cloudy with showers and isolated thunderstorm possible.
FORECASTER: Leblanc
