The National Weather Service has explained that Saharan dust will envelop the local islands over the next few days, maintaining a hazy sky. Additionally, gusty winds and choppy seas will continue to affect the region, and precipitation is possible as tropical waves pass south of the area.
The Source contacted Ian Carlos Colón-Pagán, a lead meteorologist at the NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to obtain further details about the weather conditions across the area.
Saharan Dust
“A moderate episode of Saharan dust is currently affecting the region and is forecast to persist through at least Thursday night,” Colón-Pagán said. “This will lead to hazy skies, reduced visibility, drier air, and degraded air quality. Temperatures may feel warmer than normal due to a combination of dust, humidity, and light winds, particularly across coastal and urban areas. Lesser concentrations of dust are expected to linger into the weekend,” he continued.
“For a visual representation of heat-related and other local hazard risks, please refer to the NWS Experimental Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook,” Colón-Pagán stated. “And as always, individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivity to airborne particles are advised to take appropriate precautions,” he advised.
Details about Saharan dust and potential health impacts and how to stay safe during a dust event are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gusty Winds and Choppy Seas
The NWS also noted that gusty winds, caused by a strong area of high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean, will continue to affect the islands. The breezy conditions are expected to generate choppy seas.
“A surface high-pressure system over the Atlantic will promote easterly winds throughout the forecast period, which will be breezy, particularly along coastal areas,” according to an update from the NWS on Tuesday. “The breezy to locally windy conditions will persist, resulting in choppy seas and a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents along most beaches throughout the week,” the NWS said.
Swimmers are encouraged to understand the risks associated with rip currents, including recognizing how to escape the pull of a rip current if caught in one. Additionally, small craft operators are advised to exercise caution due to hazardous seas over the next few days.
“Moderate to rough seas will continue, and small craft should exercise caution across most waters and local Caribbean passages. Similar conditions will prevail throughout the rest of the week. Isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop each afternoon, mainly over the western waters of Puerto Rico,” the NWS update continued.
“Beachgoers should be aware that a moderate risk of rip currents will prevail this week along most beaches of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, mainly driven by breezy to locally windy conditions.”
Tropical Waves
Colón-Pagán shared information regarding several tropical waves that are forecast to pass through the Caribbean this week. At this time, it appears that the waves will stay to the south of the local region.
“A tropical wave is currently moving into the eastern Caribbean and is expected to pass south of the local islands between Tuesday and Wednesday,” Colón-Pagán explained. “While the bulk of its moisture is forecast to remain well south of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, some of that moisture may reach the region. This could lead to periods of enhanced shower activity during the midweek period, especially during the afternoon and evening hours,” he acknowledged.
“However, widespread rainfall is not anticipated at this time,” Colón-Pagán clarified. “Instead, we expect a continuation of the typical early summer weather pattern, with brief, isolated showers and possibly a few thunderstorms,” he continued.
“For broader context, marine forecasts and surface analyses are available through the NOAA/NHC Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch,” he added.
Colón-Pagán went on to explain that a second tropical wave is expected to pass through the Caribbean later this week.
“Another tropical wave, currently near 45°W longitude, is forecast to move into the eastern Caribbean around Thursday,” Colón-Pagán noted. “Current forecast model guidance suggests that similar to the ongoing wave, the majority of moisture will likely stay well south of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico,” Colón-Pagán said. “No tropical cyclone development is expected over the next seven days, based on the latest NHC Tropical Weather Outlook.”
Notably, while the Atlantic Basin has been quiet, the Eastern Pacific Basin has been active with tropical activity. Three named storms have formed so far this year in the Pacific Ocean near the south coast of Mexico, and the National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring another area for possible development.
Weather Updates
While the presence of dry Saharan dust can potentially help thwart the development of tropical systems, it is vital to be prepared throughout the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which is forecast to be a potentially active hurricane season.
USVI residents and visitors can find weather information, including marine weather details, from the NHC, the NWS, and NOAA. Additionally, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency offers residents and visitors the opportunity to sign up for emergency alerts.
Finally, the local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel.
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