The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, said Wednesday that unsettled weather is expected to persist for the next several days as tropical disturbances move away from the region. However, officials said severe conditions are not anticipated on Thursday, and public schools and government offices are scheduled to reopen.
The NWS said portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands experienced rain and gusty winds on Wednesday. The agency added that the atmosphere will remain favorable for additional rainfall as two tropical disturbances — Invest 94L and Tropical Storm Humberto, which strengthened from Invest 93L on Wednesday — continue tracking north of the region.
“Current atmospheric conditions remain favorable for the development of heavy rain, strong thunderstorms and gusty winds,” the NWS reported on Wednesday.
“We are highly confident that additional activity will persist through at least late Thursday night or even early Friday morning. However, there are some challenges in predicting the exact locations where significant flooding is likely to occur. The areas that will be most prone to flooding are the southern plains and the central eastern municipalities of Puerto Rico, including the San Juan metro area. Additionally, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the rest of Puerto Rico can expect an elevated risk of flooding due to these conditions,” the NWS stated.
Government House Press Briefing
At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach and Daryl Jaschen, director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, held a press briefing from Government House on St. Croix to share information about the current tropical weather threats.
Jaschen provided a weather update Wednesday and noted that while portions of the U.S. Virgin Islands saw only limited rainfall by the afternoon, most of the precipitation — up to five inches — fell over the open ocean south of St. Croix. He explained that as Invest 94L and Tropical Storm Humberto track north of the local islands, some additional rainfall is possible, though he does not anticipate an especially dangerous weather situation.
Jaschen added that predicting the exact track and intensity of tropical systems can be very challenging, and he thanked meteorologists at the NWS in San Juan for providing detailed information.
Speaking after Jaschen, Roach thanked residents across the territory for their cooperation Wednesday as public schools and government offices were closed out of an abundance of caution due to the weather. He said schools and government offices will reopen Thursday.
“Regular operations will resume on Thursday,” Roach said. “We recognize that the weather can change on a dime, and we will continue to monitor the situation. However, as of now, we have determined that the coast is clear, students can return to school, and government offices will reopen as normal,” he added.
Tropical Disturbances in the Atlantic Basin
As was reported by the Source on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center has been tracking the two tropical systems near the Lesser Antilles for several days. Invest 94L and Tropical Storm Humberto, which have been interacting due to their proximity to each other, are forecast to continue to intensify as they move away from the USVI and Puerto Rico.
Tropical Storm Humberto will likely strengthen into a hurricane later this week or this weekend as it travels to the west-northwest. Invest 94L is forecast to become a tropical depression in a few days while it is near the Bahamas.
The NHC has also continued to monitor Hurricane Gabrielle well to the north of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Gabrielle passed east of Bermuda Monday and is forecast to approach the Azores Islands off Portugal between Thursday and Friday.
Unsettled Weather Continues
The NWS said the current wet weather pattern could continue through at least the upcoming weekend. The agency has also reminded residents and visitors of ongoing weather-related threats for Puerto Rico and the USVI, including very warm temperatures, which could prompt heat alerts across the region.
Additionally, marine conditions will be hazardous due to nearby tropical systems, and there will be an elevated risk of rip currents across local beaches. A Small Craft Advisory will remain in effect for portions of the waters surrounding the local islands until at least 6 a.m. Thursday.
Stay Informed About the Local Weather
The forecast can change very quickly, and USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to remain prepared. Weather information is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA.
The local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is also regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel. Additionally, a weekly Tropical Outlook article from the Source will be published throughout hurricane season to provide in-depth updates.
Residents and visitors can find additional weather alerts and preparedness information from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
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