Rip Current in Puerto Rico, August 11, 2024

Name: Rip Current in Puerto Rico, August 11, 2024
Start: 2024-08-11T17:00
End: 2024-08-11T17:00
Location: Puerto Rico

August 11, 2024 · NWS SJU · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A surface high pressure across the North Atlantic promoted a moderate to locally fresh easterly wind flow, creating localized choppy conditions. These choppy seas resulted in breaking waves between 3 and 5 feet, increasing the risk to moderate, especially along Jobo's beach, located across northwest PR.

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS SJU wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 Aug 11, 11:50 AM AST, 5 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 11, 11:50 AM AST, 5 hours 10 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Juan PR
1150 AM AST Sun Aug 11 2024

.UPDATE...Showers and isolated thunderstorms are moving through
the area. One cluster of thunderstorms was located 25 miles south
southwest of Cabo Rojo. The showers and thunderstorms were moving
west to west northwest at 15-19 knots and this is the general flow
behind the wave that is now located in the windward passage. The
precipitable water in the sounding this morning at 11/12Z came in
as 2.34. The TPW product showed somewhat lower values. Slightly
drier air is coming into the area with the 700 mb ridge on Monday,
followed by a weak band of moisture and then another dry slot
ahead of the tropical disturbance on Tuesday afternoon.

The exact track and impacts of AL98 are not yet known. No center
has formed and there is not even a depression. One model is developing
it on Monday in the tropical Atlantic and generating a tropical
storm that may pass near the northern Virgin Islands on Wednesday.
Another is holding it down to a tropical depression that would
pass over Puerto Rico on Tuesday evening. We expect more
information from the National Hurricane Center this afternoon at 5
PM AST and some decisions by tonight or early Monday morning
regarding watches or warnings.

Some changes to the winds and marine conditions have been made and
these will bring the deteriorating conditions to our northeastern
Atlantic waters and the Anegada Passage Tuesday and Wednesday.
Depending on the trajectory of AL98 and its intensification seas
could exceed 10 feet in these areas.

Although showers have moderated temperatures somewhat, humidity
remains high and areas without showers are seeing heat indices
reach advisory levels, therefore will continue to maintain the
heat advisory for the coastal plains of Puerto Rico.

&&

.AVIATION...Flow is now east southeast at 10 to 16 knots with
some sea breeze influences, although the flow is overpowering
that in many places where sea breezes would oppose. Gusts near
showers and thunderstorms could reach 30 knots. Sct-nmrs SHRA have
dvlpd ovr PR with a few minor SHRA arnd the nrn USVI. Expect
stronger SHRA and TSRA in wrn and interior PR that will sprd NW
aft 11/17Z. These will bring mtn obscurations and MVFR/IFR conds.

&&

.SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PR...Heat Advisory until 5 PM AST this afternoon for PRZ001-003-005-
     007-008-010-011.

VI...None.
AM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM/MARINE/AVIATION...WS
UPPER AIR/PUBLIC...RC
SOCIAL MEDIA/PUBLIC/IDSS...ERG

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 11, 5:37 AM AST, 11 hours 23 minutes before

Perspectiva sobre las Condiciones Peligrosas del Tiempo
Servicio Nacional de Meteorología San Juan PR
535 AM AST domingo 11 de agosto de 2024

AMZ711>745-PRZ001>013-120945-
San Juan y Vecindad-Noreste-Sureste-Este Interior-
Norte Central-Central Interior-Ponce y Vecindad-Noroeste-
Oeste Interior-Mayagüez y Vecindad-Suroeste-Culebra-Vieques-
Las aguas cercanas y fuera de la costa del Atlántico y del Caribe-
535 AM AST domingo 11 de agosto de 2024

Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones peligrosas del tiempo es para
sectores de Puerto Rico.

.DÍA UNO...Hoy y esta noche

.Rayos...Tormentas eléctricas numerosas posibles a través de los
sectores interior y oeste de Puerto Rico. Planee detener toda la
actividad al aire libre y moverse a refugios.

.Lluvia Excesiva...Inundaciones en áreas urbanas, carreteras,
riachuelos y lavados. Inundaciones repentinas aisladas posibles a
través de los sectores del oeste de Puerto Rico.

.Calor Excesivo...Este nivel de calor afecta a la mayoría de los
individuos sensibles al calor, especialmente aquellos sin
enfriamiento efectivo y/o hidratación adecuada. Impactos posibles en
algunos sistemas de salud y en industrias sensibles al calor.

.Corrientes Marinas...Corrientes marinas amenazantes a la vida son
posibles en la zona de olas particularmente a través de Puerto Rico
y Culebra.

.DÍAS DOS A SIETE...lunes a sábado

Por encima del contenido de humedad normal debe prevalecer hasta el
fin de semana a medida que la marejada de viento y su humedad
asociada continúa filtrándose a través de las islas. Con esto se
espera un aumento en los vientos, junto con condiciones marinas
picadas hasta peligrosas y riesgo de corrientes marinas moderadas.
Limitado a riesgo elevado de calor excesivo persistirá hasta
principios de la próxima semana. El martes, la onda tropical con una
alta probabilidad de desarrollo debe comenzar a alcanzar las islas.
En este momento, instamos a las personas a mantenerse informadas
sobre cualquier actualización emitida por el Servicio Nacional de
Meteorología en San Juan, PR o el Centro Nacional de Huracanes.

.COMUNICADO SOBRE INFORMACIÓN DE OBSERVADORES...

Se les exhorta a los observadores a reportar. Favor de reportar
cualquier información sobre inundaciones, vientos, olas y corrientes
marinas al Servicio Nacional de Meteorología en San Juan.

AMZ716-726-VIZ001-002-120945-
San Thomas San John e islas adyacentes-Santa Cruz-
Aguas cercanas a la costa del Atlántico y aguas costeras adyacentes
del Caribe-
535 AM AST domingo 11 de agosto de 2024

Esta Perspectiva sobre las Condiciones Peligrosas del Tiempo es para
sectores de las Islas Vírgenes Americanas.

.DÍA UNO...Hoy y esta noche
.Rayos...Tormentas eléctricas aisladas a dispersas posibles a través
de las islas.  Esté atento a las  tormentas eléctricas en su área y
esté preparado para buscar refugio.

.Lluvia Excesiva...Acumulación de agua en carreteras y áreas de mal
drenaje.

.Calor Excesivo...Este nivel de calor afecta principalmente a
aquellos individuos extremadamente sensibles al calor, especialmente
cuando están al aire libre sin enfriamiento efectivo y/o hidratación
adecuada.

.Corrientes Marinas...Corrientes marinas amenazantes a la vida son
posibles en la zona de olas particularmente a través de Santa Cruz.

.DÍAS DOS A SIETE...lunes a sábado

Por encima del contenido de humedad normal debe prevalecer hasta el
fin de semana a medida que la marejada de viento y su humedad
asociada continúa filtrándose a través de las islas. Con esto se
espera un aumento en los vientos, junto con condiciones marinas
picadas hasta peligrosas y riesgo de corrientes marinas moderadas.
Limitado a riesgo elevado de calor excesivo persistirá hasta
principios de la próxima semana. El martes, la onda tropical con una
alta probabilidad de desarrollo debe comenzar a alcanzar las islas.
En este momento, instamos a las personas a mantenerse informadas
sobre cualquier actualización emitida por el Servicio Nacional de
Meteorología en San Juan, PR o el Centro Nacional de Huracanes.

.COMUNICADO SOBRE INFORMACIÓN DE OBSERVADORES...

Se les exhorta a los observadores a reportar. Favor de reportar
cualquier información sobre inundaciones, vientos, olas y corrientes
marinas al Servicio Nacional de Meteorología en San Juan.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 11, 1:16 PM AST, 3 hours 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Juan PR
116 PM AST Sun Aug 11 2024

PRZ005-008>010-111815-
Northwest PR-North Central PR-Mayaguez and Vicinity PR-
Western Interior PR-
116 PM AST Sun Aug 11 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT LAS MARIAS...NORTHERN LARES...SAN
SEBASTIAN...WEST CENTRAL ARECIBO...ISABELA...MOCA...QUEBRADILLAS...
ANASCO...NORTH CENTRAL MARICAO...CAMUY...NORTHEASTERN MAYAGUEZ...
RINCON...HATILLO...AGUADA AND AGUADILLA MUNICIPALITIES THROUGH 215 PM
AST...

At 114 PM AST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles south of San Sebastian to near Camuy.
Movement was northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 30 mph and frequent lightning possible.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 1848 6692 1849 6679 1846 6673 1818 6694
      1823 6717 1828 6719 1830 6723 1835 6727
      1837 6726 1838 6721 1842 6716 1849 6717
      1851 6714 1852 6704
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 119DEG 14KT 1824 6699 1845 6685

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

RC

Special weather statement, Aug 11, 1:18 PM AST, 3 hours 42 minutes before

Comunicado Especial sobre las Condiciones del Tiempo
Servicio Nacional de Meteorologa San Juan PR
116 PM AST domingo 11 de agosto de 2024

...TORMENTAS ELCTRICAS FUERTES IMPACTARN LAS MARIAS...NORTE DE
LARES...SAN SEBASTIAN...OESTE CENTRAL DE
ARECIBO...ISABELA...MOCA...QUEBRADILLAS... ANASCO...NORTE CENTRAL DE
MARICAO...CAMUY...NORESTE DE MAYAGUEZ... RINCON...HATILLO...AGUADA Y
AGUADILLA HASTA 215 PM AST...

A las 114 PM AST, el radar Doppler estaba rastreando tormentas
elctricas fuertes a lo largo de una lnea que se extiende desde 6
millas al sur de San Sebastin hasta cerca de Camuy. El movimiento
estaba al noroeste a 15 mph.

PELIGRO...Rfagas de viento de hasta 30 mph y rayos frecuentes
posibles.

FUENTE...Indicado por radar.

IMPACTO...Los vientos rfagas podran derribar ramas de rboles y
mover objetos no asegurados.

MEDIDAS DE PRECAUCIN/PREPARACIN...

Rayos frecuentes de nubes a suelo estn ocurriendo con estas
tormentas.  Los rayos pueden golpear a 10 millas de distancia de una
tormenta elctrica.  Busque un refugio seguro dentro de un edificio
o vehculo.

&&

TAMAO DE GRANIZO MXIMO...0.00
RFAGA DE VIENTO MXIMO...<30 MPH

RC

Event by event

1 rip current. Local standard time, as filed.

Rip Current, Northwest

When: August 11, 5:00 PM AST
Where: Northwest forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An 83-year-old man (tourist) drowned while swimming at Playa Jobos in Isabela.

The people who died

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, Northwest	2024-08-11	83	Male	In Water	Direct

What these are

Rip Current: A narrow, fast current flowing away from the beach that caused a drowning or rescue.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Puerto Rico in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history Warnings in Puerto Rico, August 2024

Sources

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: 1207220.