The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and adjacent nearshore Atlantic and Caribbean coastal waters.
Residents and visitors in the USVI should prepare for windy conditions throughout the day and into the night. Outdoor items may be susceptible to damage or could be blown away due to the strong winds.
Mariners are advised to exercise caution as seas are expected to reach or exceed 8-10 feet. Wind speeds are forecasted to be around 15-25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots, creating dangerous conditions for small craft.
There is also a high risk of life-threatening rip currents in the surf zones of most local beaches. Beachgoers are advised to exercise extreme caution or avoid entering the water.
Friday through Wednesday
The outlook for the next several days indicates that breezy to windy conditions will persist, along with a northerly swell. These factors will continue to contribute to hazardous marine conditions for small craft. Seas are expected to remain up to 8-10 feet, and beachgoers are warned of life-threatening rip currents with breaking waves in the 6-8 feet range throughout the workweek.
Although some improvement in conditions is anticipated over the weekend, a high risk of rip currents is still expected on Saturday. The risk is projected to moderate from Sunday into early next week. Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed on the latest weather updates and exercise caution during this period of hazardous weather conditions.
