Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pago Pago
Issued by NWS Pago Pago
715 FXZS60 NSTU 280155 AFDPPG Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pago Pago AS 255 PM SST Thu Jun 27 2024 .Short term... After receiving some light passing showers throughout the morning over American Samoa, satellite imagery as of early this afternoon shows the majority of the showers to the west and northwest of the territory. The trough will continue to push most of the rain off to the west tonight and overnight, but we can`t rule out a few passing showers that may move over the islands. If showers occur, it will be in the passing form and flash flooding is not expected. The easterlies are forecast to remain around 15 mph through tomorrow. On Friday morning, the risk of showers decrease as drier than average air moves over the region but the possibly of showers increases back to scattered showers in the afternoon. For the weekend, a trough from the southwest will move towards the territory. However, a low pressure system helps steer the trough more to the south of the territory than originally expected. Therefore, showers are forecast to be scattered and severe weather is not likely. Winds decrease slightly on Saturday, but back to around 15 to 20 mph the overnight hours and on Sunday. .Long term... Another strong ridge builds over American Samoa from Sunday night through the middle of the week. Breezy east/southeasterly trades will increase up to around 25 mph. Below average rainfall is expected, but there may be a few passing showers during this time. Heavy rainfall is not expected. && .Marine... The latest information from the PacIOOS buoy to the east of Aunu`u shows seas around 7 feet. As easterlies remain moderate, seas haven`t been building as fast as expected. However, winds may reach up to 20 knots at times throughout the day tomorrow and the weekend. Wind driven seas are forecast to build up to 7 to 9 feet by early Friday and to remain through the first half of the weekend. As the easterlies increase to a fresh breeze for the second half of the weekend and into early next week, seas are likely to build to 8 to 10 feet. A southerly swell is anticipated to start moving through the territorial water overnight tonight. The longer period waves along with the elevated seas will likely bring surf levels to the High Surf Advisory criteria at that time. The period timing will slowly decrease through early Sunday. We will begin the High Surf Advisory to be in effect late this evening through at least early Sunday. && .PPG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... A High Surf Advisory will be in effect beginning late tonight. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect. && $$ LaPlante