During a virtual meeting Thursday with the Source, the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, shared updates about forecasting tools and highlighted the importance of public participation across the U.S. Virgin Islands, encouraging residents to report local weather events to help keep communities safe and informed.

Emanuel Rodriguez, a senior service hydrologist and meteorologist with the NWS in San Juan, presented a slideshow highlighting updated forecasting products now available to the public. The one-on-one media event also included a discussion of regional weather threats relevant to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecasting Tools

Several of the updated forecasting tools will be utilized throughout the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, providing enhanced guidance and earlier warnings for potentially hazardous weather. The improvements to forecasting tools include important updates to National Hurricane Center forecasting products, such as the issuing of storm watches and warnings up to 72 hours before a possible cyclone’s landfall.

As was reported in a previous Source article, the added time to issue storm alerts could be especially beneficial for Caribbean islands, including the USVI, given the islands’ vulnerability to cyclones and the potential rapid intensification of hurricanes.

In addition to extending advisory lead times, other updates to NHC forecast products include upgrades to the “cone of uncertainty” of a cyclone’s potential track, which will now include an experimental graphic depicting inland weather alerts as well as the traditional coastal advisories. Updated rip current risk maps will also be available, designed to enhance public awareness of marine hazards.

Rodriguez noted that environmental conditions are expected to be favorable for a busy hurricane season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a call for an above-average Atlantic hurricane season.

While it’s impossible to predict precisely how a hurricane season will unfold, meteorologists and researchers base their seasonal outlooks on a combination of current atmospheric and oceanic conditions and decades of historical data to help project what could occur.

Forecasters closely monitor several key indicators, including sea surface temperatures and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation cycle, which encompasses the El Niño, La Nina, and ENSO-neutral phases and can significantly affect wind shear across the Atlantic Ocean. Experts also analyze forecasts for the West African Monsoon, which helps determine the frequency and strength of tropical waves emerging off Africa’s west coast. Many of these environmental signals appear favorable for tropical cyclone development this season.

Local Weather Details

Rodriguez emphasized the significant impact of excessive heat across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, highlighting data from 2024 that revealed unusually high temperatures across the region. This intense heat prompted the NWS to issue numerous heat advisories last year to help protect public health and safety.

With climate trends indicating a return to warm conditions in 2025, Rodriguez stressed the importance of community preparedness during extreme heat events. During periods of extremely hot weather, including times when the heat index is high, individuals are advised to stay hydrated, seek shade or air-conditioned environments whenever possible, and be vigilant for signs of heat-related illnesses.

Rodriguez said that the NWS actively monitors local weather patterns to provide advisories and warnings, including heat alerts, to help residents and officials mitigate the risks associated with hazardous environmental conditions. Rodriguez reminded the public that forecasting products are available every day, not just during times of severe weather.

NWS Urges Individuals to Report Weather Events

Alongside the presentation of updated forecasting tools, Rodriguez focused on the vital role that public participation plays in keeping communities safe. He encouraged residents across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to report weather-related events to the NWS in San Juan, noting that firsthand reports help meteorologists better understand and respond to local hazards.

Rodriguez said that while many meteorologists and individuals document weather events across Puerto Rico, there is a limited number of reports that come from the USVI. Anyone can submit a report, and the NWS stated that it is crucial to supply information only when the person reporting the event is not in a dangerous situation.

The NWS welcomes submissions of severe weather events, including tornadoes, waterspouts, funnel clouds, wind damage, hail, lightning-related damage, flooding, mudslides, and heavy rainfall. Reports are most helpful when submitted promptly after an event, provided it is safe to do so. According to information on the NWS website, all reports should be limited to events personally witnessed by the individual and should include the time and specific location of the occurrence. Detailed observations, such as the direction and distance of a funnel cloud, the size of hail, or the depth and extent of flooding, are particularly valuable for understanding the event.

By contributing local information, residents and visitors play an essential role in enhancing situational awareness and ensuring timely warnings for others in the community.

To report severe weather, residents can contact the National Weather Service in San Juan through several channels. Reports can be submitted through social media via X (formerly Twitter) or on Facebook. The NWS asks those who submit a weather event report on social media to include the hashtags #PRwx and #USVIwx. Individuals can also call the NWS office directly at 1-800-899-0969.

Weather Forecast Information

As of Thursday evening, the NHC was monitoring an area near the Bay of Campeche with a low chance of tropical development. No cyclonic activity is expected near the USVI or Puerto Rico. However, USVI visitors and residents are encouraged to prepare for hurricanes now, before any cyclones are potentially on the horizon.

In addition to obtaining weather information from the NHC, 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.

The V.I. Port Authority Board of Governors on Thursday approved several action requests, including contract extensions and change orders, but postponed a decision on one item — a move that drew frustration from board Chair Willard John.

Tabled was the Frederiksted Waterfront Master Plan. Derek Gabriel, a board member and Public Works commissioner, said the way the plan was being handled could lead to confusion because the Master Plan covered property owned by the central government, not the Port Authority.

John said that, though he agreed with Gabriel’s points, he worried that if the project was tabled, nothing would happen. “I want to see something happen,” he said.

Approval would have allowed Moffatt & Nichol to provide planning services for the Frederiksted Waterfront, but not exceed $118,218 in expenses.

The staff report said, “Being that the Frederiksted Waterfront surrounds the Ann E. Abramson Cruise Pier, it is prudent for VIPA to engage in this planning study to identify opportunities to advance the economic and cultural viability of the Virgin Islands’ tourism industry.” The report added that Moffatt & Nichol, VIPA’s on-call Architectural-Engineering Consultant for Marine projects, has provided VIPA with a proposal including:

• Existing Conditions Assessment

• Market Assessment

• Program and Planning Framework Preparation

• Initial Pier and Waterfront Concepts

• Final Master Plan Preparation

The work was expected to be completed within 18 weeks after the task order was issued.

Moffatt & Nichol received approval for $410,255 for design and permitting services related to structural repairs for waterfront infrastructure in St. Thomas and St. John.

Eleven Construction received approval of a change order for the existing contract for the repairs to the Tender Landing Pier at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility, not to exceed $95,690 for costs associated with unforeseen subgrade conditions and port usage delays, and removal of one excess pile.

Eleven Construction also received a change order extending the timeline for finishing the above project.

The board also approved a contract between VIPA and NW Bend Boats, DBA North River Boats, to begin construction of two 40-foot pilot boats for a sum not to exceed $1,700,000 for the Marine Division.

Attending the meeting were board members John, Kevin Rodriquez, Leona Smith, Joseph Boschulte, and Derek Gabriel. Board member Gordon Rhea was absent.