According to the National Weather Service in San Juan, a mix of Saharan dust, gusty trade winds, and the possible influence of nearby tropical waves could bring hazy skies, choppy seas, and increased shower activity to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this week.
The Source contacted Cecille Villanueva-Birriel, a lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for detailed information about this week’s weather forecast.
Local Weather Forecast
Villanueva-Birriel said that Saharan dust should be expected starting Tuesday, and strong winds will continue for several days.
“Low to moderate concentrations of Saharan dust are forecast this week,” Villanueva-Birriel said. “Peak levels are expected around midday Tuesday, with another increase possible by Thursday afternoon. These conditions may linger through the week and could result in hazy skies, reduced visibility, and lower air quality, particularly for sensitive groups,” she explained.
Villanueva-Birriel added that breezy weather across the islands is forecast to continue, and excessive heat conditions may affect areas across the region.
“A strengthening Atlantic ridge is maintaining breezy to locally windy conditions across the region. These conditions should continue through most of the workweek, with a gradual easing expected by the weekend,” Villanueva-Birriel stated.
“With a southerly wind component and above-normal moisture levels expected for much of the week, the possibility of issuing Heat Advisories cannot be ruled out,” Villanueva-Birriel cautioned. “This potential is greatest in urban and coastal areas of Puerto Rico and the USVI. The period of concern would be earlier in the week, with conditions expected to improve by the end of the week.”
Tropical Outlook
As of Monday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center was monitoring an area in the central subtropical Atlantic for possible cyclonic development. If a system develops and intensifies into a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph, it would be named Andrea, the first named hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. However, if a storm develops, it will very likely be short-lived.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Pacific basin has had a busy start to its hurricane season. Several named cyclones have formed this year, including Hurricane Erick, a Category 3 hurricane that made landfall along the southwestern coast of Mexico on June 19. The cyclone was the most powerful storm to strike Mexico as a major hurricane in recorded history. NHC is monitoring another area in the same region for potential cyclonic development this week.
Aside from the disturbance in the central Atlantic, no cyclonic development is forecast across the Atlantic basin over the next seven days. Still, several tropical waves are anticipated to pass through the Caribbean, and Villanueva-Birriel provided information about what can be expected.
“A series of tropical waves will influence the region this week,” Villanueva-Birriel said. “One is expected to approach on Monday, another on Tuesday, and a third by next Sunday.”
Villanueva-Birriel continued, “Although the bulk of moisture from these systems will remain south of the islands, they will still enhance moisture availability across the region. This will interact with upper-level troughs, particularly one forecast to move near the area Friday into Saturday, creating unstable conditions conducive to scattered showers and thunderstorms.”
Villanueva-Birriel shared information about the possible impacts expected across the area.
“In Puerto Rico, most activity is expected in the afternoon due to diurnal heating and local effects,” Villanueva-Birriel noted. “In the USVI, showers and thunderstorms will mostly form over nearby waters with the potential to move inland occasionally. For the system being monitored by the NHC, any indirect impacts would mainly involve swells reaching northern coastal waters. However, considerable uncertainty remains, and it is best to monitor official NHC forecasts for the most accurate and updated information,” she advised.
Hazardous Marine Conditions
Finally, swimmers and boaters are advised to exercise caution due to choppy seas. The risk of rip currents will be elevated, and marine weather alerts could be issued during the week.
“Choppy to locally rough seas are expected throughout the week due to continued gusty winds. Isolated hazardous conditions may occur in areas affected by stronger showers or thunderstorms. Small Craft Advisories may be issued later in the week if conditions warrant,” Villanueva-Birriel said.
Stay Informed About Weather Events
The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and will run until Nov. 30, with the climatological peak of the season occurring in mid-September. USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to be prepared.
In addition to obtaining weather information from the NWS and NOAA, the local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel. Individuals can also find helpful weather information and alerts from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
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