PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FOR ST. MAARTEN 

DATE ISSUED: Friday, September 16, 2022 @ 11:00 LST (16:00UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) September 17, 2022 

…A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN… 

…A SMALL CRAFT WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE… 

WEATHER:    

This afternoon: Generally cloudy and breezy with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible. 

Tonight through Saturday midday: Mainly cloudy to overcast and windy with scattered showers and thunderstorms.  

Forecast High: 31°C / 88°F             Forecast Low: 26°C / 79°F 

Sunset Today: 6:13 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS: 
This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeasterly to easterly with a moderate to strong breeze of 15 to 28 mph, and higher gusts up to storm force. 

SYNOPSIS:   

A deterioration in weather conditions is expected as tropical storm Fiona begins to influence the weather across the region. Showers are forecast to become moderate to heavy at times with thunderstorms and could produce flash flooding and rock falls. People in areas prone to flooding and rock slides should take the necessary precautions. 

Hazardous sea conditions are predicted to peak at up to 12 feet. As a result, a small craft warning will remain in effect for St. Maarten until further notice. Small craft operators and sea bathers are advised to stay out of the water until further notice. People with interests along the coast should finalize all preparations to secure their property. 

STATE OF THE SEA:  Rough         WAVES/SWELLS: 8 to 12 feet  

SPECIAL FEATURE:  

At 11:00 AM (1500 UTC), the center of tropical storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.0 North, longitude 59.4 West or about 284 miles southeast of St. Maarten.  

Fiona is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). This general motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through early Sunday, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest and northwest on Sunday and Sunday night.   

On its present forecast track, the center of Fiona is forecast to pass at its closest approximately 100 miles south west of St. Maarten Saturday morning. However, impacts are likely from later today. 

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (225 km) from the center. 

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches). 

The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor this system and keep the public updated on impacts. 

OUTLOOK through Sunday midday: Generally cloudy to overcast and breezy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. 

FORECASTER: Gordon 

3-DAY FORECAST