Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Utuado, PR

.Short Term(Today through Sunday)...
Issued at 211 AM AST Fri Mar 20 2026

Mostly clear to partly cloudy skies were observed across the islands during the early morning hours. Light passing showers were noted mainly over the waters and across portions of eastern and southern Puerto Rico. Minimum temperatures were from the low 60s across the higher elevations to the mid 70s across coastal areas.
Winds were from the southeast at 10 mph or less.

A transition to a significantly wetter and more unsettled pattern is expected this weekend. Latest satellite and precipitable water imagery shows a deep plume of moisture trailing a frontal boundary to our northwest, which model guidance brings into the northeastern Caribbean by late tonight into Saturday morning.
Moisture advection will gradually increase PWAT values from near 1.00 inch to roughly 1.75–1.80 inches (well above the 75th percentile) by Saturday, and they will remain elevated through Sunday. As this frontal boundary filters in, the local pressure gradient will relax, causing steering winds to drop from around 18 knots down to around 10 knots or less. This combination of higher moisture pooling and weak steering winds is expected to lead to slow-moving showers, which, in turn, increases the risk of urban, small stream, and localized flash flooding across PR.

For today, diurnally driven shower activity is expected, initially focusing across the interior and southern sections of Puerto Rico, and over the northern sections during the afternoons.
However, the flood threat is not expected to increase until Saturday afternoon through Sunday, as the moisture axis from the front settles over the region, resulting in a wetter period across PR. Rainfall accumulations are currently forecast to range from 1.50 to 2.50 inches across the interior, eastern, and southern portions of Puerto Rico, but locally higher amounts cannot be ruled out. The U.S. Virgin Islands will remain on the drier side of the front through early Saturday before shower coverage gradually increases by Sunday.

.Long Term(Monday through Friday)...
Issued at 211 AM AST Fri Mar 20 2026

A broad mid to upper level trough pattern will persist across the western Atlantic and northeastern Caribbean through much of the workweek. A jet streak near the region at the start of the period will provide enhanced divergence aloft and support generally unstable conditions, weakening slightly and lifting northward later in the week but remaining close enough to influence the local area.
At the surface, high pressure building over the western Atlantic will promote a transition to northeasterly winds early in the week, persisting through midweek and supporting a cooler and more stable low-level flow. Moisture will remain near to above normal, initially extending to around the mid levels and becoming deeper by midweek onward, despite occasional intrusions of drier air aloft. Weak mid- level perturbations early in the period will gradually lift northward, while a surface-induced trough or trade wind perturbation associated with a mid-level disturbance may approach the region later in the week, enhancing low-level convergence.

Unsettled weather conditions will persist through the workweek, with hazards initially focused on excessive rainfall and thunderstorms.
Early in the period, lighter steering flow and sufficient moisture will favor slow-moving showers, increasing the risk of urban and small stream flooding, along with frequent lightning. As northeasterly winds become established, showers will favor windward areas, with afternoon convection over interior and western Puerto Rico. From midweek onward, deeper moisture and continued upper-level support will lead to more efficient rainfall processes, maintaining an elevated flooding risk. In addition, the wind threat may increase later in the week as stronger low-level flow and passing perturbations support periods of gusty winds, particularly in and near heavier showers and thunderstorms.

AVIATION
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 211 AM AST Fri Mar 20 2026

Mainly VFR conditions are expected to prevail across all terminals through the forecast period. Mostly VCSH expected, but -RA and tempo MVFR cigs are possible at TJBQ/TJPS/TJSJ this afternoon due to locally induced SHRA. Low-level winds will continue from the SE at 10-15 kt.

MARINE
Issued at 211 AM AST Fri Mar 20 2026

Choppy seas will persist across portions of the Atlantic waters due to moderate to locally fresh winds, and small craft should continue to exercise caution. As a pre-frontal trough and associated frontal boundary approaches the region, winds will continue to weaken and shift from the southeast to southerly through the weekend, becoming light and variable. As a high pressure builds over the western Atlantic early next week, winds will turn northeasterly and increase, resulting in deteriorated marine conditions once again. Unsettled weather will also develop during the weekend into early next week, leading to increasing shower activity across the local waters.

BEACH FORECAST
Issued at 211 AM AST Fri Mar 20 2026

Beach conditions have begun to improve, as winds and seas have gradually decrease across the coastal waters. Nevertheless, we urge visitors and residents to remain alert and monitor the forecast for updates or changes as a MODERATE risk of rip currents persist along the northern and eastern beaches of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the US Virgin Islands, through the weekend.
A moderate risk means that life-threatening rip currents are still possible in the surf zone, and beachgoers should remain alert and cautious. A low risk is expected along more protected southern beaches. For additional information and location- specific rip current details, please visit: weather.gov/beach/sju.

SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PR...None.
VI...None.
AM...None.