Residents and visitors across the U.S. Virgin Islands are being urged to exercise caution as hazardous weather conditions are expected to continue through the remainder of the week. In its latest Hazardous Weather Outlook, issued at 5:24 a.m. AST on Wednesday, April 2, the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, warned of breezy to windy conditions, rough marine environments, and dangerous rip currents affecting the territory.
The advisory covers St. Thomas, St. John, adjacent islands, and St. Croix, as well as the nearshore Atlantic and adjacent Caribbean coastal waters.
Today's Conditions:
Wind: Sustained winds are forecast to range between 18 to 33 knots (approximately 21 to 38 miles per hour), creating breezy to windy conditions throughout the day and into the night. The National Weather Service cautions that unsecured outdoor items could be blown around or damaged due to these winds.
Marine Conditions: Boaters are advised to use extreme caution, particularly small craft operators. Hazardous conditions are expected in waters where seas reach 7 feet or higher, especially across most local waters. While not all areas are under advisory, the agency encourages small craft to exercise caution even where conditions are below warning levels.
Rip Currents: The risk of life-threatening rip currents is high across the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly in the surf zone. Stronger rip currents are also possible near piers, jetties, and channels, which pose an elevated danger to swimmers and beachgoers.
Extended Forecast: Thursday Through Tuesday
The weather outlook extends the warning into the coming days. Breezy to windy conditions are expected to persist throughout the work week, with Thursday forecast to bring particularly strong winds. These winds will contribute to hazardous and rough seas, making maritime conditions unsafe for small craft and raising continued concerns about rip currents.
Small Craft Advisories and a High Rip Current Risk remain in effect for most of the week, with the National Weather Service emphasizing the ongoing nature of the threat.
Residents and tourists are advised to monitor local forecasts, heed safety warnings, and avoid entering waters where rip currents are present. Small craft operators should remain vigilant and assess marine conditions before heading out to sea.
