DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, September 12, 2018 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) September 13, 2018
WEATHER:
Today through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and windy, with isolated showers and possible isolated thunderstorms.
Forecast High: 30°C / 86°F Forecast Low: 24°C / 75°F
Sunset Today: 6:17 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
Today: Northeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 07 to 16 miles per hour.
Tonight through Thursday midday: East northeast to southeast with a moderate to strong breeze of 17 to 26 mph, increasing up to Near Gale 35 mph.
SYNOPSIS:
The leading edge of an outer band from Isaac has passed over the region bringing moisture and instability to the local atmosphere. This will result in cloudy skies, showers and possible thunderstorm activity during this forecast period.
Seas are forecast to peak near 7 feet before deteriorating on later today as Isaac approaches the central Lesser Antilles. Small craft operators and sea bathers should exercise caution.
STATE OF THE SEA: Slight to moderate WAVES/SWELLS: 4 to 7 feet
SPECIAL FEATURE:
At 11am, the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 15.0 north, longitude 54.7 west or about 595 miles east-southeast of St Maarten. Isaac is moving toward the west near 17 mph with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph and higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next few days. On this forecast track the center of Isaac is expected to be at its closest point to St. Maarten sometime late Thursday to early Friday morning about 190 miles away.
Hurricane Helene remains over the central Atlantic and is forecast to become a tropical storm on Thursday.
Hurricane Florence is expected to strengthen and approach the coast of the Carolinas sometime Thursday through Friday.
The main focus during the next few days will be on Tropical Storm Isaac. However, the St. Maarten Meteorological Department will continue to monitor the progress of all these systems and keep you updated.
OUTLOOK through Friday midday: Cloudy and windy with isolated showers.
FORECASTER: Pierre
