DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) September 25, 2019
…A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT
FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…
WEATHER:
This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Cloudy and breezy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Forecast High: 30°C / 86°F
Forecast Low: 25°C / 77°F
Sunset Today: 6:07 P.M.
Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Southerly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 12 to 22 mph and higher gusts.
SYNOPSIS:
Moisture and instability associated with the outer bands of Tropical Storm Karen will account for cloudiness and shower activity across the region, some of which could be accompanied by thunderstorms. Karen is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 1 to 4 inches, therefore, residents and users of areas prone to flooding and landslide are advised to be vigilant.
A small craft advisory remains in effect for St. Maarten as rough seas will continue across the region. Small craft operators should exercise extreme caution and sea-bathers are advised to stay away from the sea.
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate to rough
WAVES/SWELLS: 6 to 9 feet
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- ...CENTER OF KAREN APPROACHING PUERTO RICO AND VIRGIN ISLANDS...
At 11:00 am, the center of Tropical Storm Karen was located near latitude 17.5 north, longitude 65.8 west or about 180 miles southwest of St. Maarten.
Karen is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today. A north-northeastward motion with some increase in forward speed is forecast tonight through Wednesday night.
On the forecast track, the center of Karen will pass near or over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this afternoon and then move over the western Atlantic tonight and Wednesday.
Based on present location and forecast track the center of Karen will pass at its closest about 160 miles west northwest of St. Maarten tonight.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours. - At 11:00 am, the center of Tropical Storm Lorenzo at was located near 12.4N 29.3W or about 2290 miles east-southeast of St. Maarten, moving West-northwest near 16 mph.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Lorenzo is forecast to become a hurricane later today and could become a major hurricane on Thursday.
At its closest point, the center of the Lorenzo should pass well over 1000 miles northeast of St. Maarten on Sunday.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor the progress of these systems and update the public accordingly.
OUTLOOK through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy with isolated showers possible.
FORECASTER: Connor
