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Mixed weather conditions ranging from lightning and thunderstorms to heat waves and possible rip currents have been forecast for the remainder of the week in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to Daryl DeFrance Jaschen, director of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).
As Tropical Storm Earl moves slowly away from the islands at 5 mph, Mr. Jaschen said lightning and scattered thunderstorms are forecast to continue, followed by a heat wave of about 100 degrees.
“Lightening and scattered thunderstorms with frequent lightning in the U.S. Virgin Islands, strong thunderstorms, swells are also likely over local waters. If lightning is nearby, please seek shelter,” he warned during the Government House Weekly Press Briefing on Tuesday.
Mr. Jaschen said areas in the east can expect choppy to hazardous conditions with gusty winds, lightning and higher waves. “Our maritime conditions continue to gradually improve. It’s been a rough weekend for everybody, nonetheless showers and thunderstorms will continue to affect our local waters especially in the east."
He also forecasted extreme heat with indices over 100 degrees across the urban coast areas of Puerto Rico and St Croix.
For today, widespread rainfall is expected across the US Virgin Islands. Mr. Jacshen said limited flash, urban and small stream flooding impacts are possible due to previously saturated soils from multiple days of rain.
“The rapid rise in rivers and mudslides in areas of steep terrain are also possible,” he continued.
In addition, a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents is also possible across the northern surf zone of Puerto Rico and St Croix – a warning is in effect.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring two new disturbances developing off the coast of Africa and the director said environmental conditions are conducive for some development of these systems and tropical depressions could form in a few days.
The first system is likely to develop into a tropical depression and move westward and west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph over the Eastern and Central Tropical Atlantic, but currently has a minimum chance of development while the second system – a tropical wave – is forecast to emerge offshore into the Eastern Atlantic in a day or two.
“Environmental conditions appear generally conducive for some slow development thereafter as the system moves west-northwestern over the Eastern Tropical Atlantic,” he said, adding that formation for next 48 hours to five days is low.
