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Invest 98-L moves south of the USVI and Puerto Rico

John McCarthy

[OCTOBER 20]

A Tropical Wave (Invest 98-L) moves south of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands:

-It is likely to become a depression or tropical storm in the next day or two as it moves toward the central Caribbean Sea.

-There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding its forecast trajectory and intensity after midweek.

-It will continue to promote showers and thunderstorms mainly over the southern waters tonight, which may move towards the coastal areas, and gusty winds.

A long-term northern swell will continue to deteriorate maritime conditions during the day. Expect hazardous coastal and maritime conditions, with a Coastal Flood Warning in effect until 6 PM. Stay out of the water, follow the warning flags and extreme precautions, as the threat will persist until tomorrow.

A long-period northerly swell will continue to deteriorate marine conditions through today.

Hazardous coastal and marine conditions are expected, with a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect until 6 PM.

Stay off the water, follow beach flag warnings, and remain cautious as the threat persists into tomorrow.

HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT

* WHAT..Llife-threatening rip current.

* WHERE…Beaches of southwestern Puerto Rico, Vieques, and St Croix.

* WHEN…Through late tonight.

* IMPACTS…Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

There is a high risk of rip currents. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and signs.

If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions.

Today St. Croix will be mostly cloudy with showers in the afternoon and a high of 89, AccuWeather said.

Tonight St. Croix will experience the clouds breaking and a low of 79, according to AccuWeather.

Expert meteorologist Brian Shields says when Melissa makes its northerly turn it will head for Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti).
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