The combination of a small northerly swell and choppy, wind-driven seas resulted in life-threatening rip currents across most of the north and east-facing beaches of the islands on the 4th of May.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SJU wrote it up.
The combination of a small northerly swell and choppy, wind-driven seas resulted in life-threatening rip currents across most of the north and east-facing beaches of the islands on the 4th of May.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS San Juan, PR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 4, 11:45 AM AST, 4 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Juan PR
1145 AM AST Wed May 4 2022
.UPDATE...Morning sounding showed a drier atmosphere, but some
shower activity is still indicated. A few light showers have
developed in streamers off all of the islands east of Puerto Rico
and several are traveling into Puerto Rico near Yabucoa and
Naguabo, although showers there have not yet begun. Showers are
expected to develop near the Cordillera Central and in the western
portions of Puerto Rico after noon. At this time flooding is not
expected.
&&
.AVIATION...VFR conditions are expected except briefly in
isolated areas where showers dvlp in interior and wrn PR. Sfc
winds E 10-20 kts with hir gusts till arnd 04/22Z, then bcmg land
breezes of 10 kt or less. Max winds WSW 60-70 kt btwn FL415-500.
&&
.MARINE...Seas have subsided to below 6 feet but some winds are
running 15-20 knots, so mariners will need to exercise caution.
There will continue a high risk of rip currents along northern
exposed coasts today and along the northwest coast of Puerto Rico
only tonight. On Thursday most coasts will have a moderate risk of
rip currents except from south of Rincon to Boqueron.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 704 AM AST Wed May 4 2022/
SYNOPSIS...
As breezy easterly winds and average moisture values prevail, a
relatively typical rainfall pattern is expected with passing
windward showers and afternoon development in western regions due
to seabreeze convergence and local effects. Precipitable water
values are expected to fall over the weekend and then will slowly
rise throughout the week as a surface low in the Western Atlantic
will promote southeast flow that will pull tropical moisture over
the Islands. A High to Moderate Risk of Rip Currents continues
throughout the day into tonight.
SHORT TERM...TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY...
The available moisture is expected to be near to below normal for
the most part over the short term period. There is however a
developing trough in the mid and upper levels, that could cause an
increase in instability. This increase in instability will
support locally induced thunderstorm development across western PR
due to sea breeze convergence. The little bit of Saharan dust
that appears to be lingering today will gradually move out of the
area, and the latest guidance is suggesting that any sort of dust
would be out of the area late Thursday and Friday. A surface high
pressure across the southwestern Atlantic will move slowly to the
east over the short term period, tightening the local pressure
gradient and thus causing somewhat breezy conditions today, with
winds possibly reaching 15 to 20 mph across coastal areas. Winds
are expected to diminish slightly on Thursday and then even more
on Friday.
Overall, a relatively typical rainfall pattern is expected. Isolated
to scattered showers are forecast across the local waters, USVI, and
eastern PR in the overnight and early morning hours each day in the
short term period. Then, showers and a risk of thunderstorms are
forecast across portions of western PR in the afternoon hours each
day due to the aforementioned sea breeze convergence and local
effects. The ENE winds may help keep the daytime high temps in the
mid 80s across the northern sections of the local islands, but
the south coastal sections of PR may see temperatures in the
upper 80s. However, easterly winds are expected to return on
Friday, and the daytime high temperatures across the north
coastal areas could also reach the upper 80s, or even 90 degrees.
LONG TERM...Saturday though Wednesday...
Over the weekend, a surface high pressure system in the Central
Atlantic steers a southeasterly flow over the Islands. Currently,
Saturday appears to be quite dry in comparison to the following days
regardless of an upper level trough east of the region. Sunday
onward, lower to mid level columnar moisture begins to rise as
variable patches of moisture advects though with the prevailing
flow. This southeast wind flow will become reinforced early in the
week when a surface low develops in the Western Atlantic. GFS model
guidance suggest that precipitable water values will progressively
increase until reaching exceptional values on Wednesday as
tropical moisture moves into the region. This surface low may
also produce a northerly swell that could raise local wave
heights.
Upper levels remain mainly zonal throughout this period until
Wednesday when the flow become southwesterly. With this, upper level
tropical moisture will fill into the region, most likely resulting
in lots of cloud coverage. This all being said, a typical pattern of
passing morning showers and afternoon convective development is
expected with a chance of overnight showers as patches of
moisture combine with local effects until Wednesday. after mid
week next week moisture values are expected to surge and shower
activity will increase. Throughout the week, surface to 850 mb
wind flow will prevail from the southeast, therefore windward
areas and the northwestern region of Puerto Rico are expected to
receive the bulk of activity.
AVIATION...VFR conds expected across the local terminals today.
However, there may be VCTS/VCSH at TJBQ after 04/17Z since
SHRA/TSRA is forecast to develop across W-PR, which may affect the
vicinity of TJBQ for a brief period. ENE winds are expected
today, which could reach 15 KT or slightly higher with occasional
gusts. Winds at TJPS will be from the ESE after 04/14Z due to sea
breeze variations.
MARINE...Moderate to fresh easterly winds continue to promote
choppy seas. A small northerly swell remains in the water adding
height to breaking waves. As choppy conditions continue, small
craft operators should exercise. A High Risk of Rip Currents
remains until late tonight and then becomes moderate for most
beaches of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU 85 75 86 74 / 20 40 40 20
STT 87 75 86 74 / 20 30 30 30
&&
.SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PR...High Rip Current Risk until 6 PM AST this evening for North
Central-Northeast-San Juan and Vicinity.
High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for Culebra-Northwest.
VI...High Rip Current Risk until 6 PM AST this evening for
St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands.
AM...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...WS
LONG TERM....RAM
PUBLIC DESK...CAMPerspectivas sobre las Condiciones Peligrosas del Tiempo Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia en San Juan PR 439 AM AST miercoles 4 de mayo de 2022 AMZ710>745-PRZ001>013-051000- San Juan y Vecindad-Noreste-Sureste-Este Interior-Norte Central Interior Central-Ponce y Vecindad-Noroeste-Oeste Interior-Mayaguez y Vecindad-Suroeste-Culebra-Vieques-Las aguas costeras cercanas y lejanas a la costa del Atlantico y del Caribe- 439 AM AST miercoles 4 de mayo de 2022 .Dia Uno...Hoy y esta noche .Tronadas...Existe un potencial de tronadas con lluvia fuerte y rafagas de viento esta tarde a traves de sectores del oeste de Puerto Rico. .Inundaciones... Lluvias fuertes a traves del oeste de Puerto Rico podrian generar inundaciones urbanas y de pequenos riachuelos. .Vientos... Vientos sostenidos en exceso de 20 MPH (17 nudos) se esperan a traves de las aguas locales y areas costeras. .Oleaje...Se espera oleaje picado de hasta 5 pies a traves de las aguas locales. .Corrientes Marinas...Existe un riesgo alto de corrientes marinas para las playas del norte de Puerto Rico y Culebra. Existe un riesgo moderado de corrientes marinas para el resto del area excepto para el oeste de Puerto Rico. .Dias dos hasta el siete...jueves a martes Hay un riesgo moderado de corrientes marinas durante la semana. Existe la posibilidad de tronadas cada tardeen los sectores del oeste de Puerto Rico. Estas tronadas podrian causar empozamientos de agua en las carreteras y en areas de poco drenaje, al igual que causar inundaciones urbanas en areas aisladas. .Comunicado sobre informacion reportada por observadores... No se espera activacion amplia de observadores. Sin embargo, le agradeceriamos reportar cualquier informacion sobre corrientes marinas al Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia en San Juan. AMZ715-725-VIZ001-002-051000- San Tomas, San John e Islas Adyacentes- Santa Cruz-Aguas cercanas del Atlantico y aguas costeras adyacentes del Caribe- 439 AM AST miercoles 4 de mayo de 2022 Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones peligrosas del tiempo es para Islas Virgenes Estadounidenses y las aguas costeras adyacentes. .Dia Uno...Hoy y esta noche .Vientos... Vientos sostenidos en exceso de 20 MPH (17 nudos) se esperan a traves de las aguas locales y areas costeras. .Oleaje...Se espera oleaje picado de hasta 5 pies a traves de las aguas locales. .Corrientes Marinas...Existe un riesgo alto de corrientes marinas para las playas del norte y oeste de San Thomas. Existe un risgo moderado de corrientes marinas para el resto de las playas. .Dias dos hasta el siete...jueves a martes Se espera un riesgo moderado de corrientes marinas durante la semana para las playas locales. .Comunicado sobre informacion reportada por observadores... No se espera activacion amplia de observadores. Sin embargo, le agradeceriamos reportar cualquier informacion sobre corrientes marinas al Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia en San Juan.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
304 PM AST WED MAY 4 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0246 AM FLASH FLOOD 2 NNE GUAYNABO 18.41N 66.10W
05/03/2022 GUAYNABO PR 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED OF A FLOODED
VEHICLE IN AVE ROOSEVELT WITH ONE PERSON
TRAPPED INSIDE.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
307 PM AST WED MAY 4 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0246 AM FLASH FLOOD 2 NNE GUAYNABO 18.41N 66.10W
05/03/2022 SAN JUAN PR 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED OF A FLOODED
VEHICLE IN AVE ROOSEVELT WITH ONE PERSON
TRAPPED INSIDE.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
316 PM AST WED MAY 4 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0238 AM FLOOD 2 WNW GUAYNABO 18.40N 66.14W
05/03/2022 BAYAMON PR 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED OF A FLOODED
PARKING LOT CLOSE TO PR-2 ROAD. NO ONE WAS
AFFECTED.
&&
CVBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
320 PM AST WED MAY 4 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0322 AM FLASH FLOOD 2 NNE GUAYNABO 18.41N 66.10W
05/03/2022 GUAYNABO PR 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED OF A FLOODED
VEHICLE WITH PEOPLE TRAPPED INSIDE AT
INTERSECTION AVE ROOSEVELT & AVE SAN
PATRICIO.
&&
CVBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
326 PM AST WED MAY 4 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0251 AM FLASH FLOOD 2 SSE CAROLINA 18.38N 65.97W
05/03/2022 CAROLINA PR 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED OF A FLOODED
VEHICLE WITH PEOPLE TRAPPED INSIDE OVER
CARR. 881, IN FRONT OF FULL POWER GROUP.
DURING THE CALL, THE FEMALE STARTED HAVING A
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.
&&
CVB1 rip current. Local standard time, as filed.
A 911 call alerted the police about a floating person in Flamenco Beach. The person was taken into an ambulance to a hospital, where the doctor confirmed the death by drowning.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rip Current, Culebra | 2022-05-04 | 58 | Male | In Water | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Puerto Rico in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Puerto Rico, May 2022
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1032574.