Excessive Heat Continues Across USVI; Forecasters Continue to Expect Active Hurricane Season

The U.S. Virgin Islands have endured sweltering heat this year, and the trend is forecast to continue as the peak of hurricane season arrives.

The Source spoke with meteorologists as well as officials from the V.I. Health Department and the V.I. Public Works Department to better understand the reasons for the ongoing heat and how individuals can stay safe. Meteorologists also provided a tropical update about what can be expected regarding cyclone development over the coming months.

Excessive Heat

Matt Rosencrans, a meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, shared details about the hot weather.“Sea surface temperatures are very warm, [and they are] the second highest on record for the Atlantic and Main Development Region [between the area] stretching from Africa to the Caribbean, and warmest on record for the waters surrounding the Caribbean,” Rosencrans said. “[Combining] these warm sea surface temperatures with weaker trade winds sets the stage for air to feel stagnant and pick up a lot of energy from the oceans,” he explained.