DATE ISSUED: Friday, September 11, 2020 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) September 12, 2020
…A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL
6:00 AM, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020…
WEATHER:
This afternoon through Saturday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with a few brief isolated showers possible.
Forecast High: 32°C / 90°F Forecast Low: 28°C / 82°F
Sunset Today: 6:18 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
This afternoon through Saturday midday: Northeasterly to east northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 12 mph, becoming calm and variable at times.
SYNOPSIS:
A slack pressure gradient associated with a weak Atlantic high-pressure ridge is producing generally light winds across the region. Pockets of low-level moisture drifting with the light wind flow may cause a few brief showers across the local area.
Long period, northeasterly swells generated by Tropical Storm Paulette is producing above normal sea conditions. Swells are expected to peak up to 9 feet during this forecast period. Consequently, a small craft advisory is in effect for St. Maarten. Small craft operators and sea bathers should exercise caution.
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate to Rough WAVES/SWELLS: 5 to 9 feet
SPECIAL FEATURE:
- At 11:00 am, Tropical Storm Paulette and Tropical Storm Rene continued to move further away, at safe distances from St. Maarten. Based on their projected paths, both of these systems are not expected to pose a direct threat to St. Maarten.
- A tropical wave just off the coast of Africa has a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development is expected, and this system has a high chance (90%) of developing into a tropical depression within the next 5 days.
- Another tropical wave, with a large area of disturbed weather is expected to come off the coast of Africa this weekend. This system has a medium (40%) chance of development within 5 days. Environmental conditions are favorable for it to become a tropical depression early next week.
THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OF ST. MAARTEN WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THESE SYSTEMS AND UPDATE THE PUBLIC ACCORDINGLY.
OUTLOOK through Sunday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with local showers possible.
FORECASTER: Gordon
