DATE ISSUED: Friday, July 31, 2020 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) August 01, 2020
WEATHER:
This afternoon through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy with slight haze and a few brief passing showers possible.
Forecast High: 33°C / 91°F Forecast Low: 28°C / 82°F
Sunset Today: 6:47 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:51 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
Today through Saturday midday: Northeast to east with a gentle to moderate breeze of 08 to 16 mph.
SYNOPSIS:
A drier airflow into the region will aid in restricting precipitation during this forecast period. Meanwhile, the dominant Atlantic high pressure system is generating gentle to moderate breeze. Slightly hazy conditions are expected to prevail as varying concentrations of Saharan dust passes over the region.
Moderate marine conditions are expected during this forecast period. Small craft operators and sea bathers should exercise extreme caution.
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate WAVES/SWELLS: 5 to 7 feet
SPECIAL FEATURE:
At 11:00 AM (15:00 UTC), the center of Hurricane Isaias was located about 780 miles northwest of St. Maarten. The system is moving toward the northwest (away from St. Maarten) near 16 mph (26 km/h). Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible today and tonight, and Isaias is expected to remain a hurricane for the next few days.
An area of low pressure located in the eastern Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The system is moving northward toward less favorable environmental conditions, and the chance of this system becoming a tropical depression is decreasing.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…low…20 percent.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor the progress of this system and keep the public updated accordingly.
OUTLOOK through Sunday midday: Partly cloudy, slightly haze with passing showers.
FORECASTER: Gordon
