DATE ISSUED: Thursday, September 19, 2019 @012:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) September 20, 2019
…A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN…
……A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE……
WEATHER:
This afternoon through tonight: Partly cloudy and hazy.
Friday morning through midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers possible.
Forecast High: 33°C / 91°F Forecast Low: 28°C / 82°F
Sunset Today: 6:11 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
Today through Friday midday: East northeast to southeast with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 10 mph.
SYNOPSIS:
A dry air mass and light winds will restrict precipitation across the local area through tonight. Thereafter, a deterioration in weather condition is expected as moisture and instability associated with Hurricane Jerry begin to affect the region.
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 9 feet
SPECIAL FEATURES:
At 11:00 am the center of Hurricane Jerry was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 54.4 West, or about 580 miles east southeast of St. Maarten. Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h). A west-northwest motion at a similar speed is expected over the next few days.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Hurricane Jerry winds extend outward up to 10 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 988 mb (29.18 inches).
On the present forecast track, the center of Jerry is expect to pass approximately 120 miles to the north-northeast of St. Maarten on Friday night. Effects of this system will begin on St. Maarten by Friday.
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 Saturday midday: Cloudy and windy with showers and isolated thunderstorm.
FORECASTER: Gordon
