Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Catano, PR

.Short Term(This evening through Monday)...
Issued at 300 PM AST Sat May 9 2026

A surface high north of the region will promote up to breezy easterly winds are forecast to continue through the next several days. Unsecured objects could blow around. Easterly steering flow will gradually veer overnight to become more east to east-southeast as the surface high moves eastward. Current satellite derived PWAT values indicate mostly dry air over most of the region (around an inch to 1.2 inches). PWAT values slightly above 1.20 inches are being detected over western PR (due to afternoon convection over the area) and over St. Croix (a patch of moisture moving from the Anegada Passage). Steering flow will bring patches of both moisture and drier air towards the islands, prompting precipitable water (PWAT) values at below normal to normal values. More broad patches of moisture will reach the region on Monday. Available moisture will be shallow however, being mainly below 800 mb tonight and tomorrow and reaching a bit higher on Monday. This is due to a mid to upper level ridge across the western Caribbean Sea, maintaining a drier air above 700 mb, this ridge will move a bit northward to start the next workweek. With this below normal to normal moisture and increasing subsidence, inhibited shower activity and rainfall coverage is forecast. However, passing shower activity will continue to reach windward sectors of the islands during the morning and overnight hours while diurnal heating and local effects will still promote afternoon convection over mainly interior to sectors of western PR (possibly closer to the coast due to breezy conditions).
This pattern will increase on Monday as the patch of moisture moves over the region, however breezy conditions will inhibit major rainfall accumulations. East to east-southeast steering flow will continue to promote a limited heat risk over many coastal and urban areas of the islands where heat indices are forecast in the upper 90s to low 100s. This level of heat affects primarily those individuals sensitive to heat, especially when outdoors without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Under breezy conditions, increasing temperatures and with patches of drier air moving over the area, the potential for elevated fire danger remains, please see fire weather section below and stay tuned for future updates.

.Long Term(Tuesday through Saturday)...
Issued at 212 AM AST Sat May 9 2026

The long-term outlook will be dominated by drier-than-normal conditions through the first half of the period, as a mid-level ridge and atmospheric subsidence prevail across the region. This pattern will suppress shower formation across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through at least Thursday. At the surface, a high-pressure system over the central Atlantic will maintain moderate to locally fresh east-southeasterly winds. These winds will drag patches of moisture and quick-moving showers into windward areas during the overnight and morning hours, followed by isolated afternoon convective activity over interior and west-northwestern Puerto Rico, mainly driven by daytime heating and local effects.
During this period isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out, with limited coverage across these areas. Rising temperatures, combined with warm and humid low-level conditions, will result in a limited heat risk each day, possibly increasing by the end of the workweek.
This will primarily affect sensitive individuals or those with prolonged outdoor exposure and inadequate hydration. By the end of the period, an increase in moisture is forecast to move into the area, raising the potential for more widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region.

AVIATION
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 300 PM AST Sat May 9 2026

Mainly VFR conditions expected to prevail over the next 24 hrs.
-RA expected to develop along W PR after 09/20Z, mostly staying south of TJBQ. Winds will be from the E at 12-18 kts, gusting up to 20-25 kts or slightly higher, mostly from 09/14-22Z. Then, becoming light and variable overnight. VCSH over TIST and TISX are possible during the overnight period or into early morning and then across TJSJ. Aft 10/17Z, TJBQ may observe VCSH/-RA.

MARINE
Issued at 300 PM AST Sat May 9 2026

A strengthening surface high pressure over the western Atlantic will promote moderate to locally fresh east-to-northeast winds across the regional waters the rest of the weekend through at least Monday night. As a result, choppy marine conditions are expected with sustained winds of 15 to 20 knots and occasional higher gusts. Seas will range between 3 and 5 feet, occasionally reaching up to 6 feet. Small craft are urged to exercise caution across portions of the local waters.

BEACH FORECAST
Issued at 300 PM AST Sat May 9 2026

Tonight, there is a moderate risk of rip currents across the north, east, and southeast-facing beaches of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to breezy winds. This means life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone, and beachgoers should exercise caution. A similar pattern is expected to continue through the rest of the weekend and into next week. A low risk of rip currents will persist across the southern and western beaches of Puerto Rico, however, life-threatening rip currents can still occur near groins, jetties, reefs, and piers.

By the middle of next week, a small long-period northeasterly swell may arrive and spread across local waters, resulting in breaking waves of up to 4 to 5 feet, occasionally higher. For additional information and location-specific rip current details, visit weather.gov/beach/sju.

FIRE WEATHER
Issued at 300 PM AST Sat May 9 2026

Rain-free conditions have prevailed across the southern sections of Puerto Rico so far today, and a drier air mass over the region is allowing relative humidity values to drop to critical fire weather thresholds. The Cabo Rojo and Camp Santiago RAWS stations have been registering relative humidity values in the upper 40s to low 50s, along with breezy conditions. Also, KBDI index values remain elevated, particularly in Cabo Rojo. Therefore, conditions remain favorable for the spread of wildfires across the southern coastal plains of Puerto Rico.

Fire partners are encouraged to remain vigilant, as similar conditions are likely to persist over the coming days. The issuance of a Fire Danger Statement (RFDSJU) cannot be ruled out.

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