Saharan Dust Haze and Breezy Trade Winds Dominate U.S. Virgin Islands Forecast

National Weather Service, ECMWF and Weather Underground show warm, breezy conditions with isolated showers today and a rising chance of thunderstorms over the weekend; small craft cautions remain in effect as seas reach 4–6 ft.

The U.S. Virgin Islands are waking up to hazy skies produced by Saharan dust and brisk easterly trade winds. King Airport on St. Thomas reported 82 °F with 79 % humidity at 5:53 AM AST. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in San Juan notes that a surface high pressure over the central Atlantic and a series of tropical waves will promote moderate to fresh trade winds and hazy conditions through the remainder of the week.

General Conditions

Winds & Seas: NWS marine forecasts call for east winds 15–20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots and seas 4–6 ft for the Atlantic waters near the Virgin Islands. Small craft should exercise caution. Trade winds weaken slightly early next week but remain in the 10–20 kt range.

Temperature & Humidity: The NWS predicts highs near 92–94 °F (33–34 °C) and lows around 82 °F, with hazy skies and moderate humidity. Weather Underground’s data (via WeatherForYou.com) shows slightly cooler highs around the upper 80s, while ECMWF-based meteoblue guidance suggests maximum temperatures near 27 °C (~81 °F) at higher elevations, reflecting altitude differences. Long‑term climate averages indicate July UV indices in the extreme range (11+) and sea surface temperatures near 28 °C (82 °F).

Precipitation: All three models agree on low rain chances today (10–20 %), increasing to 60–70 % Sunday as a tropical wave approaches. ECMWF ensembles give a 90 % chance of precipitation on Sunday, whereas NWS and Weather Underground assign a 70 % chance.