…A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL 6AM SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020…
WEATHER:
Today through Sunday morning: Partly cloudy, hazy and breezy with brief passing showers.
Forecast High: 31°C / 88°F Forecast Low: 26°C / 79°F
Sunset Today: 6:49 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:49 A.M.
SURFACE WINDS:
Today through Sunday morning: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts.
SYNOPSIS:
A drier air mass with Saharan dust will aid in restricting precipitation across the local area. Nevertheless, moisture patches drifting with the brisk wind flow will trigger brief passing showers. Persons with allergies and/or respiratory illnesses should take the necessary precautions.
Marine conditions will gradually improve over the next few days. Small craft operators and sea bathers are advised to continue exercising caution.
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate to Rough WAVES/SWELLS: 6 to 8 feet
SPECIAL FEATURE: At 05:00 am, Tropical Storm Gonzalo continues to move westward at 18 mph with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and higher gusts, towards the southern Windward Islands. This system is expected to pass well south of St. Maarten.
Gonzalo currently poses no direct threat to St. Maarten.
A tropical wave located just off the western coast of Africa continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The disturbance is expected move westward during the next several days, and it could become a tropical depression early next week when it reaches the western tropical Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 2 days…low…near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…medium…50 percent.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor the progress of these systems and keep the public updated accordingly.
OUTLOOK through Monday morning: Partly cloudy, hazy and breezy with brief passing showers possible.
FORECASTER: Gordon