A man drowned during the afternoon hours of July 27th after being swept away by rip currents. A moderate risk of rip currents was in effect for the area at that time due to moderate to fresh easterly winds and choppy seas.
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.
A man drowned during the afternoon hours of July 27th after being swept away by rip currents. A moderate risk of rip currents was in effect for the area at that time due to moderate to fresh easterly winds and choppy seas. Additionally, hazy conditions were present.
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 Jul 17, 5:06 AM AST, 9 hours earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 506 AM AST Thu Jul 17 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Lingering moisture from a tropical wave will result in showers and isolated thunderstorms today, especially across the interior and western Puerto Rico during the afternoon hours. * Moderate to high concentrations of Saharan dust particles are expected to gradually return today and prevail through at least Friday night, resulting in hazy skies, reduced visibility, and poor air quality. * Limited heat risk today across urban and coastal areas of the islands. An elevated heat risk is expected over the next few days, with heat indices likely to meet Heat Advisory Criteria. * Moderate to locally fresh winds will lead to choppy seas and a moderate risk of rip currents through Friday, an improvement is expected during the weekend through early next week, then increasing winds and a moderate risk returning by Tuesday. && .SHORT TERM...Today through Saturday... The skies were mostly clear across PR's west, south and interior sections, while north and east windward locations in PR and the US Virgin Islands observed partly cloudy skies. Once again, overnight minimum temperatures ranged from the low 60s in the mountains to the upper-70s or low 80s in coastal urban areas. The lingering moisture of yesterday's tropical wave caused the Doppler Radar to detect scattered to numerous showers across the surrounding waters and moving inland over the USVI and the windward locations of PR. Winds were mainly from the east at 10 mph or less, with land breeze and locally higher gusts near showers. The trailing moisture of yesterda's tropical wave will bring additional rounds of showers during the morning hours, before the arrival of a Saharan Air Layer (SAL) with moderate to high concentrations of suspended dust particles later this morning into the Friday. Regardless of the expected hazy skies associated with the SAL, the lingering moisture will result in shallow rain showers affecting potions of the windward locations in the USVI and PR during the day. Then, local effects, diurnal heating and sea breeze variations will promote the formation of afternoon showers downwind from the USVI and the Luquillo Mountain Range, as well as across the interior and western PR. This activity will result in ponding of water in roads and poorly drained areas, without ruling out the potential for urban and small stream flooding. One or two intense thunderstorms could develop this afternoon, enhanced by the presence of the suspended dust particles. Tempereature-wise, we expect muggy, warm to hot heat indices during the maximum heating today, posing a particular danger to the most vulnerable communities. Moisture will erode later this evening, as we forecast the SAL concentrations to peak tonight into early Friday morning, limiting radiational nighttime cooling. Thus, Friday morning may begin with warmer-than-normal minimum temperatures, making it easier to reach Advisory or Extreme Heat Warning Criteria. Regardless, we cannot rule out the typical rain pattern, consisting of passing showers across the windward locations, followed by afternoon convection across the western portions of PR and downwind from the US Virgin Islands. Model guidance suggest a retrograding TUTT will move into the region around Saturday. This will induce a surface trough, potentially bringing additional tropical moisture over Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Under these conditions, there is a moderate chance of wet and unstable weather, which could lead to a heightened risk of flooding rains in the afternoon and evening on Saturday. Residents and visitors in PR and the USVI should stay tuned for further updates regarding this weather pattern. .LONG TERM...Sunday through Thursday... At the beginning of the long term period, the TUTT low will be positioned to the northwest of the region along with an induced low- level trough expected to move across the northeastern Caribbean through the weekend, bringing showery weather. The latest model guidance suggests that precipitable water content will be up to 1.8- 2.0 inches on Sunday, which is considered average to above average. In general, these weather features will enhance early morning convection between the USVI and eastern sections of Puerto Rico, followed by afternoon thunderstorms over portions of the interior and western Puerto Rico. It that scenario materializes, there will be an elevated flood risk across the northwestern quadrant of Puerto Rico due to a southeasterly wind flow. On Monday, a mid to upper ridge building from the central Atlantic into the northeastern Caribbean will shift further west and displace the trough pattern. Winds will shift more from the east. Mid-level moisture is expected to decrease, and rainfall will likely follow a more typical diurnal pattern driven by daytime heating and local effects. Flood risk should remain from none to limited starting the week. Monday night onward, another TUTT low will approach the region bringing a winds surge and a series of disturbances with patches of moisture Tuesday and Wednesday, likely embedded with Saharan dust. At the moment, there is some discrepancies in the global models, but we will continue to monitor conditions for any forecast update. At this time, expect variable weather conditions those days with early morning convection between the USVI and eastern sections of Puerto Rico, followed by convection with isolated thunderstorms over portions of the interior and western Puerto Rico each afternoon. Model suggest precipitable water will fluctuate around 1.6 to 1.7 inches, which is considered seasonal values. By Thursday, moisture content will decrease to below average values helping to reduce shower frequency. Additionally, warm to hot temperatures are anticipated each day, likely triggering Heat Advisory conditions across most coastal and urban areas of Puerto Rico. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours, wear light clothing, and check on vulnerable individuals and pets. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFs) Expect occasional SHRA/+SHRA across the local terminals of E-PR/USVI thru 17/16z. Local effects and sea breeze variations will result in afternoon SHRA/TSRA across the interior and western PR, which could impact JPS/JBQ or even JSJ. This activity could result in brief MVFR or even IFR conditions, especially between 17/16-22z. Hazy skies will return later this morning, limiting visibilities, from 17/12z, peaking after 18/00z. Expect calm to light and VRB winds thru 17/13z, then E/ESE between 15-20 kt through 17/13z with higher gusts near 25-30kt and sea breeze variations. && .MARINE... A surface high pressure system over the Atlantic will promote moderate to locally fresh easterly winds through tonight across the regional waters and local Caribbean passages—expect choppy seas as well. Remnant moisture from a tropical wave will result in showers and isolated thunderstorms today. Additionally, a Saharan Air Layer will gradually arrive today, bringing hazy skies through Friday night. Another disturbance is anticipated by the weekend, potentially increasing shower activity across the waters. Winds will remain moderate through the weekend, increasing again from Monday night onward. && .BEACH FORECAST... Today, there is a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents across the northern and eastern beaches of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and St. Croix. A low risk is expected elsewhere; however, life-threatening rip currents may still occur, especially near groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. Always swim near a lifeguard and follow the advice of local beach patrols and flag warning systems. Similar conditions will likely persist tomorrow, Friday. After that, a low risk is mainly expected through early next week, with some exceptions across northern exposed beaches. Increasing winds starting around Tuesday may once again raise the risk to moderate. Hazy conditions are expected to persist through at least Friday, with heat index values likely exceeding 100°F. Stay well hydrated, seek shade frequently, and avoid outdoor activity during peak sun hours. && .SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PR...None. VI...None. AM...None. && SHORT TERM/AVIATION...CAM LONG TERM/MARINE/BEACH FORECAST...YZR
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service San Juan PR 1029 AM AST Thu Jul 17 2025 AMZ711>745-PRZ001>013-180945- San Juan and Vicinity-Northeast-Southeast-Eastern Interior- North Central-Central Interior-Ponce and Vicinity-Northwest- Western Interior-Mayaguez and Vicinity-Southwest-Culebra-Vieques- The nearshore and off shore Atlantic and Caribbean Coastal Waters- 1029 AM AST Thu Jul 17 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Puerto Rico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight .Lightning...Isolated thunderstorms, particularly across the interior and western sections. Stay alert and be prepared to take shelter if storms develop. .Excessive Rainfall...Flooding in urban areas, roads, small streams, and washes, particularly across the interior, northeast and western PR. There is a low chance of isolated flash floods. Elsewhere, plan for water ponding on roads and in poorly drained areas. .Excessive Heat...This level of heat affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Those extremely sensitive to heat face the highest risk. Some health systems and heat-sensitive industries could be affected. These conditions are most likely across urban and coastal areas of western PR during the morning and urban and coastal areas of eastern PR later in the afternoon. Areas without persistent shower activity can reach or remain with an elevated excessive heat risk. .Wind...Breezy conditions (18-22 kts | 21-25 mph), particularly across the coastal sections. Unsecured items could blow around. .Marine Conditions...Small craft should exercise caution, particularly across the Atlantic Ocean. .Rip Currents...Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone, particularly across the exposed north and east beaches. Isolated stronger rip currents may occur elsewhere, especially near piers, jetties, and channels. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday An elevated excessive heat threat will continue through at least early next week across most urban coastal locations. A wet and unstable weather pattern will increase the risk of flooding and thunderstorms on Saturday. Breezy conditions and a moderate risk of rip currents will prevail through much of the forecast period. A dense Saharan Air Layer will peak on early Friday morning, promoting hazy skies and reduced visibilities. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is encouraged. Please relay any information about flooding, winds, waves, and rip currents to the National Weather Service in San Juan. AMZ716-726-VIZ001-002-180945- St. Thomas St. John adjacent Islands-St Croix- Nearshore Atlantic and adjacent Caribbean Coastal Waters- 1029 AM AST Thu Jul 17 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of USVI. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight .Excessive Heat...This level of heat affects primarily those individuals extremely sensitive to heat, especially when outdoors without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. These conditions are most likely across the urban coastal locations. .Marine Conditions...Small craft should exercise caution, particularly across the Atlantic Waters and Anegada Passage. .Rip Currents...Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone, particularly across the north and east facing beaches. Isolated stronger rip currents may occur elsewhere, especially near piers, jetties, and channels. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday An elevated excessive heat threat will continue through at least early next week across most urban coastal locations. A wet and unstable weather pattern will increase the risk of flooding and thunderstorms on Saturday. Breezy conditions and a moderate risk of rip currents will prevail through much of the forecast period. A dense Saharan Air Layer will peak on early Friday morning, promoting hazy skies and reduced visibilities. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is encouraged. Please relay any information about flooding, winds, waves, and rip currents to the National Weather Service in San Juan.
1 rip current. Local standard time, as filed.
Broadcast media reported that a man drowned after being swept away by rip currents in Playa Jobos (Jobos Beach) in Isabela.
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 | 2025-07-17 | Male | In Water | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Puerto Rico in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Puerto Rico, July 2025
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: 1277961.