National Weather Service San Juan PR
531 AM AST Tue Apr 13 2021
.SYNOPSIS...Moisture will increase until a weak front moves into
the area on Wednesday bringing northerly flow. Tropical air will
be held just southeast of the island, but as southeast flow
returns it will move through quickly on Friday. Then mostly drier
air with a few patches of moisture will pass by in east to east
southeast flow into early next week.
&&
.SHORT TERM...Today through Thursday...
A shift to a somewhat wetter weather pattern is expected to begin
today as dynamics aloft become favorable for shower development
along with an increase of available moisture. This will result
from the passage of a deep polar trough, pushing a mid-to-upper
level ridge eastward and away from the region while weakening the
trade wind cap. As the polar trough streams across the area,
expect a generally light and variable surface wind flow with a
southwesterly to westerly component above the 850 mb layer. In the
meantime, tropical moisture will slowly make its way into the
region from the south. Although the bulk of the moisture is
expected to remain over the Caribbean waters, normal precipitable
water values around 1.5 inches are expected over land areas by
13/18-21Z. This scenario supports a higher potential for shower
development, but conditions aloft may not necessarily support
deep convective development nor significant rainfall accumulations
since mid-levels are expected to remain quite dry. However, under
a weak steering flow, rains from slow-moving showers may result
in ponding of water on roadways and low-lying areas, particularly
along the eastern interior and eastern sections of Puerto Rico
this afternoon, where the strongest showers are expected.
By Wednesday, a similar weather pattern is expected. However, the
combinations of the remnants of an old frontal boundary crossing the
local islands from the north along with continuous moisture
advection from the south and favorable dynamics aloft with full
erosion of the trade wind cap will support an increase in the extent
of the afternoon shower activity. Shallow-convective development is
still expected, but the persistent weak steering flow will continue
to support slow-moving showers that may generate ponding of water
and even localized urban and small stream flooding. Even though a
similar weather pattern can be expected on Thursday, a brief
erosion of the available moisture and less favorable conditions
aloft will limit the potential for shower development.
.LONG TERM...Friday through Monday...
With high pressure over the western tropical Atlantic,
southeasterly flow develops Friday and continues Saturday. This
will cause the old frontal boundary south of the area to cross
over the islands again for another shot of showers. However drier
air follows directly. Then high pressure at 700 mb moves east
north of the area and brings the almost completely washed out
front back over the area again and also ends the warming trend.
Better moisture does not then build back until mid week next week.
At mid levels, high pressure builds over the Greater Antilles west
of the area and moves into the Atlantic waters north of us by late
Monday.
At upper levels lower pressure persists over the Atlantic and a
the passage of a weak upper level trough and companion jet accompanies
the last passage of the very weak cold front on Saturday. High
pressure then builds over the western Caribbean.
Moisture and stability conditions are not particularly favorable
for heavy rains during the period, however some local effects
could invigorate showers that drive up eastern mountains in the
overnight and morning periods and local convergence in the
northwest portion of Puerto Rico will also favor showers in the
afternoons.
At no time is flow found to be favorable to bring significant ash
to the local area from the Soufriere Volcano on Saint Vincent.
&&
.AVIATION...Mainly VFR conditions are expected to prevail across
all TAF sites during the next 24 hours. However, VCSH may result in
brief MVFR conditions with SCT-BKN between FL020-040 at TKPK/TNCM
through 13/14Z, TJSJ between 13/16-22Z and TIST/TISX between 13/14-
24Z. Winds will be generally light and variable through 13/14Z,
turning from the ESE at 10-15 kt with sea breeze variations
thereafter.
&&
.MARINE...Marine conditions are generally subsiding although weak
swell continue to invade the local waters from the north.
Conditions are expected to remain below small craft advisory
criteria for at least the next 7 days. A moderate risk of rip
currents will persist for much of the period on coasts with
northerly exposures.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU 89 74 87 74 / 50 10 60 60
STT 86 73 85 73 / 40 40 30 30

