SAN JUAN — The U.S. Coast Guard set port condition X-ray for all ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands at 2 p.m. Wednesday, due to Tropical Depression 13 possibly arriving here within 48 hours.
USCG cautioned the maritime community to remain vigilant as this depression has the possibility to strengthen and develop into a tropical storm as it approaches the area.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami projects the depression to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday and near or north of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph/55 km/h, with higher gusts.
Tropical storm watches
Tropical storm watches are already in effect for Saba and St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla.
Yankee at 4 p.m. Today?
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan anticipates setting port condition Yankee at 4 p.m. today for the U.S. VIrgin Islands and Puerto Rico, subject to change based on future forecast.
If port condition Yankee is set, meaning sustained gale force winds are expected within 24 hours, ports will close to inbound commercial vessel traffic unless specifically authorized and ships without approved applications to remain in port must depart.