Galateo, Puerto Rico Weather

Key Messages

Issued at 210 PM AST Tue Oct 20 2026

* Afternoon thunderstorms will persist through this evening producing lightning, locally heavy rainfall, and urban or small- stream flooding across northern Puerto Rico. Activity should decrease by Wednesday before a surge of tropical moisture brings more widespread showers and renewed flooding concerns Thursday into the weekend.

- Heat Threat (Level 1): A Level 1 heat threat is expected across most of the region throughout the week. Warm temperatures and elevated heat indices may primarily affect individuals who are highly sensitive to heat, particularly those spending extended periods outdoors without adequate hydration or effective cooling.

- High Surf Advisory will be in effect through 6 PM AST this evening. However, hazardous coastal conditions will persist, with a high risk of rip currents along northern exposed beaches due to incoming northerly swells. Therefore, a high risk of rip currents will continue across the northern exposed beaches for the rest of the week.

Aviation

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 210 PM AST Tue Oct 20 2026

SHRA/TSRA expected across the interior and northern PR thru 20/22Z. VCTS at TJSJ/TJBQ thru early evening. VFR conds expected to prevail overnight, with VCSH across TJSJ and USVI terminals. Winds mainly ESE-SE at 8-11 kt, becoming VRB or calm overnight. E-SE winds at 10- 13 kt expected after 21/13Z.

Marine

Issued at 210 PM AST Tue Oct 20 2026

A long-period northerly swell continues to spread across the local Atlantic waters and passages, resulting in hazardous marine conditions. Recent observations from the San Juan buoy indicated seas up to 6 feet with a dominant period of 13 seconds, while buoy 41043, located approximately 170 nautical miles north- northeast of San Juan, reported seas near 6 feet with a period of 13 seconds around 11 AM AST. This additional pulse of northerly swell will continue to propagate across the regional waters, maintaining seas up to 6 feet, particularly across the offshore Atlantic waters and northern passages. Although a gradual improvement is anticipated, another northerly swell is expected to arrive late Thursday and persist into the upcoming weekend, maintaining elevated seas and hazardous conditions for small craft.

Beach Forecast

Issued at 210 PM AST Tue Oct 20 2026

A long-period northerly swell continues to generate large breaking waves along the northern exposed beaches of Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Recent observations from the San Juan buoy indicated seas up to 5 feet with a dominant period of 13 seconds, supporting breaking waves up to 10 feet. These hazardous surf conditions are expected to persist through at least 6 PM AST. Therefore, a High Surf Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM AST.

Additionally, a new pulse of northerly swell was observed around 11 AM AST at buoy 41043, located approximately 170 nautical miles north- northeast of San Juan, with significant wave heights of 5.9 feet and a dominant period of 13 seconds. This additional swell energy may maintain borderline High Surf Advisory conditions through the overnight hours. Although surf conditions are expected to gradually improve, hazardous marine and beach conditions will likely persist as another northerly swell arrives late Thursday and continues into the upcoming weekend. As a result, a high risk of rip currents will remain across all northern exposed coastal areas, posing life- threatening conditions for swimmers and beachgoers.